Philippine tourism achieves highest growth under Marcos administration
By Trixee Rosel
The Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed optimism about sustaining what it described as a remarkable growth in Philippine tourism achieved under the Marcos administration.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the prioritization of the tourism sector under the Marcos administration has led it to reach record-high numbers.
“We thank our President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., for his continued confidence in the promise of Philippine tourism as a major economic pillar for the country, which is now evident from the milestones the industry was able to attain in 2023,” she said.
In 2023, tourism played a crucial role in the nation's gross domestic product (GDP), accounting for 8.6 percent, the highest growth in 24 years, as reported by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA).
Total visitor receipts surged to P3.367 trillion, marking a 75.3 percent increase from the previous year, fueled by robust international arrivals, which surpassed 5.45 million in 2023.
Key initiatives driving growth include the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028, which focuses on sustainable development through infrastructure projects and enhanced connectivity.
The DOT's efforts also include the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC), which supports local infrastructure projects, the Tourism Roads Infrastructure Program (TRIP), and safety initiatives like the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP).
Innovations such as Hop-On, Hop-Off Bus Tours and upgrades to the Travel Philippines mobile app aim to enhance the visitor experience.
Moreover, the DOT launched the Philippine Experience: Culture, Heritage, and Arts Caravans Program and strengthened niche tourism sectors such as cruise, medical, and dive tourism.
The Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) program trained over 212,937 tourism stakeholders to improve service standards. Internationally, the Philippines has garnered acclaim for hosting major events like the 36th Joint Meeting of the United Nations Tourism Commission and the 10th Asia Cruise Awards.
Frasco believes that tourism is crucial for the Philippines' economy and as a source of livelihood, and she is confident that the growth in this sector will continue.