MANILA, Philippines -- The tourism industry is anticipating a “surge” in tourist arrivals as the French edition of the “Survivor” TV reality game show, shot on Caramoan Island off Camarines Sur, begins airing this month in Europe, Canada and other French-speaking nations.

Caramoan, a previously little-known tourist destination, caught the attention of the media in February when the show started filming there.

The island will be showcased in the latest season of the French “Survivor” called “Koh-Lanta Caramoan,” which will air until September.

The island will be showcased in the latest season of the French “Survivor” called “Koh-Lanta Caramoan,” which will air until September.

The show is expected to reach at least seven million viewers in France, Belgium, Switzerland and countries in North Africa.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said in a statement that “millions more worldwide” are expected to follow reruns of the show on Internet sites like YouTube.

“We are gearing up for an influx of foreign tourists which may be twice the figure generated after the airing of ‘Koh-Lanta Palawan’ last year,” Durano said, referring to the show’s previous season.

Based on DOT data, the total volume of visitors for January to May this year reached 1,372,680, or 7.4 percent more than last year’s 1,278,280. Ronnel W. Domingo