There is a vast potential in tourism for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion said on Monday, May 13, as he highlighted how tourism and small businesses can propel the Philippines forward.

First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco join Go Negosyo founder Joey Concepcion in making the “heart” sign, along with more than a thousand attendees at the Tourism Summit 2024 at the Ayala Malls Manila Bay on Monday, May 13, 2024. (Photo from Go Negosyo)

Speaking during the Tourism Summit 2024 at Ayala Malls Manila Bay, Concepcion expressed his hopes for tourism to not only help MSMEs, but also strengthen the country’s economy.

“Tourism has the potential to help MSMEs especially those in the provinces. We have to strengthen the pace of our economy and help those at the bottom of the pyramid so that the pyramid becomes a circle, a circle of prosperity where everyone benefits, where everyone helps each other and each link is crucial to the health of the entire circle,” he said.

“More MSMEs, more jobs. More jobs, more powerful consumers, which leads to more businesses being set up,” Concepcion, also the president and chief operating officer of food manufacturer giant RFM Food Corp., added.

He was joined by First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco.

The Go Negosyo event gathered tourism companies, tourism MSMEs, students, travel influencers, and content creators in a day-long event to highlight the vast opportunities offered by the tourism industry to MSMEs.

Around 500 students from different universities and colleges—Centro Escolar University-Manila and Makati, De La Salle University (DLSU), STI College Dasmariñas, Metro Manila College, FEATI University, and PATTS College of Aeronautics.

Concepcion took the opportunity to give his advice to students.

“We only have one country. We have to do our very best. My advice to you is you take the right course. The opportunity in tourism is immense,” he said.

“If you look at the different ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries out there—Thailand, Malaysia—they are all doing very well. We can do even better,” he added.

The event featured panel discussions, fireside chats, and inspirational talks by successful entrepreneurs in the tourism business and resource persons from the government and private sector.

The summit was also the venue for the awarding of the annual Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneurs Awards, which recognized MSMEs in accommodations, food, retail, services, ecotourism, recreation, and content creation.

In his congratulatory message despite not being able to attend the event, President Marcos lauded the summit and the winners of the Inspiring Tourism Awards.

He said that through their work, the winners serve the country by helping cultivate the elements that will give the Philippines an advantage over other tourist destinations.

Concepcion, for his part, thanked the First Lady, who integrated Go Negosyo in her Lab for All initiative.