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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Tourism-linked jobs reach 16.4M as all regions post economic growth, says DOT

Tourism-linked jobs reach 16.4M as all regions post economic growth, says DOT

Published Apr 25, 2025 06:18 am
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco.jpg
Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco (Photo: DOT)

A total of 16.4 million Filipinos were employed in tourism-related sectors in the first quarter of 2024, as all 18 regions saw positive economic growth, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) attributing the expansion to the success of its regional development programs.

In a statement on Friday, April 25, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco welcomed the latest report from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), which highlighted the continued rise of regional economies fueled by tourism.

“We at the Department of Tourism are elated by this positive development. This strongly affirms our strategy to equalize tourism development across all regions, as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028,” Frasco said.

Central Visayas led the growth with a 7.3 percent increase, followed by Caraga at 6.9 percent, Central Luzon at 6.5 percent, Davao Region at 6.3 percent, Eastern Visayas at 6.2 percent, Northern Mindanao at 6.0 percent, and the newly formed Negros Island Region at 5.9 percent—each surpassing the national GDP growth of 5.7 percent.

Frasco noted that the growth figures underscore the impact of inclusive and sustainable tourism, particularly in rural areas, and its potential to drive economic development across the nation.

Tourist arrivals in key regions have surged since the country reopened to international tourists in 2022.

Caraga welcomed 1.7 million visitors in 2024, Davao Region attracted over 4.1 million, and Central Visayas drew 7.5 million tourists.

Frasco credited programs such as the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), Tourist Rest Areas (TRA), and the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) under the NTDP 2023–2028 for spreading tourism benefits and creating new opportunities for local communities.

The PSA’s April 2024 Labor Force Survey reaffirmed tourism’s importance to the economy, revealing that 34 percent of total employment in the first quarter was tied to the sector.

The DOT also reported a record-breaking P760 billion in tourism revenues for 2024, reinforcing the sector’s role as a primary economic driver.

“Tourism has become a vital pillar of our country’s economy, not just because of the revenue it brings, but because of the millions of lives it touches,” Frasco concluded.

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Christina Garcia-Frasco Department of Tourism (DOT)
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