At A Glance
- DOT, PSC join forces to boost sports tourism
- Hosting prep for FIVB Men's Volleyball, FIFA Women's Futsal
- Plans include hosting upgrades, promotions, golf tourism
- Targeting long-staying, repeat, high-spending visitors
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman John Patrick “Pato” Gregorio lead a meeting at the DOT Central Office in Makati City on Aug. 6, 2025, to map out preparations for the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship and FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup as part of efforts to boost the country’s sports tourism. (Photo: DOT)
The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) have joined forces to position the Philippines as a premier global sports hub aimed at attracting long-staying, repeat, and higher-spending visitors.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco and PSC Chairman John Patrick Gregorio met at the DOT Central Office to map out preparations for the country's hosting of the FIVB Men’s Volleyball World Championship and the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup.
Frasco said the DOT is actively bidding for international sporting events, noting strong interest from tourism stakeholders who have formed a consortium to develop tailored packages for sports enthusiasts attending these tournaments.
She added that the initiative includes enhancing hosting capabilities and drawing lessons from past experiences.
It also involves launching targeted promotions and rolling out the Philippine Golf Experience to tap the profitable golf tourism market.
“The yield is what we’re after—long-staying, repeat, and higher-spending visitors—because the economic impact on the industry is so much better,” Frasco said.
The PSC delegation included Chief of Staff Loujaye Sonido, Executive Director Guillermo Iroy Jr., and Executive Assistants Sarah Rosales and Adrianne Gabor.
The DOT contingent was composed of Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Undersecretary Myra Paz Valderrosa-Abubakar, Office of Film and Sports Tourism Director Roberto P. Alabado III, Golf Tourism Office Director Lyle Fernando H. Uy, and Head Executive Assistant Frances Jan Villarino.