The Philippines, however, attracted just 2.1 million of Southeast Asia’s 48.5 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of this year.

The Philippines, however, attracted just 2.1 million of Southeast Asia’s 48.5 million tourist arrivals in the first four months of this year.

The United States has overtaken South Korea to become the largest source of foreign tourists to the Philippines, according to the Southeast Asian country's Department of Tourism.