Philippines Promises Tourism Investments for Enhanced Travel Experience - FL Liza's Report
The Philippine tourism industry is on a path towards long-term resilience, with a focus on sustainability, community engagement, disaster recovery, and diversification. This was the assurance made at the Manila Overseas Press Club (MOPC) Grand Tourism Night held at New World Makati Hotel.
The administration recognizes the tourism sector as a key economic driver, contributing 8.9% to the country's 2024 Gross Domestic Product. Representatives and presidents of the firms and organizations, including San Miguel Corporation chair and CEO Ramon S. Ang, Alliance Global Group CEO Kevin Tan, and Aboitiz Infracapital head of airports business Rafael Aboitiz, received the recognition for their contributions to this sector.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco stated that the gains in the tourism industry have been the result of deliberate strategic interventions. One such intervention is promoting sustainable tourism practices, which encourages eco-friendly accommodations, green transport, local sourcing, and equitable treatment of workers. This approach reduces environmental impact, lowers operational costs, and attracts eco-conscious travelers, thereby increasing industry resilience against future disruptions like climate change.
Another key intervention is supporting community-based tourism recovery and resilience programs, such as the Destination Marketing Assistance for Tourism Recovery Program (DMATRP) in typhoon-prone areas like Catanduanes. This program fosters volunteerism, community resilience, and sustainable tourism recovery following natural disasters, strengthening local economies and tourism appeal.
The administration is also encouraging local community-led initiatives that integrate disaster risk reduction (DRR) with tourism development. These efforts boost eco-tourism, strengthen local livelihoods, and reduce vulnerability to environmental hazards.
In addition, the administration is diversifying tourism offerings and strengthening tourism marketing. Initiatives by the Tourism Promotions Board include inspection tours, regional travel fairs, and tapping niche markets such as dive tourism and Middle East tourism ties, to broaden the industry's market base and reduce reliance on single-source markets.
The commitment to investing in better airports, stronger connectivity, and smoother travel experiences was also emphasized. This is to ensure that the Philippines remains an attractive destination for tourists.
The First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, made an assurance about the Philippines' commitment to investing in tourism. She stated that her husband often says, "more tourists, more jobs, and more opportunities for our people." Mrs. Marcos was awarded the MOPC Transformative Power Award in recognition of her role in driving this commitment.
The 16 MOPC Grand Tourism awardees, which include Sonya's Garden, Rodeo Masbateño, New World Hotel Makati, Shangri-La Hotel The Fort, Rajah Tours and Travel, Discovery World Corporation, Clark Development Corporation, Globe Telecom, GT Capital Holdings, Aboitiz Infracapital, Alliance Global Group, Jollibee Foods Corporation, Ayala Corporation, SM Investments Corporation, San Miguel Corporation, and MVP Group of Companies, were also acknowledged.
These strategic actions emphasize sustainable development, community empowerment, disaster resilience, and market diversification to secure the Philippines’ tourism industry's long-term viability and growth. The MOPC Grand Tourism Night was a testament to the collective efforts being made to transform the tourism sector in the Philippines.
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- In the Philippines, the business sector, such as the San Miguel Corporation and Alliance Global Group, is being recognized for their significant contributions to the tourism industry, a key economic driver that aims for long-term resilience. (Manila Overses Press Club (MOPC) Grand Tourism Night, Philippines' tourism sector)
- To foster sustainable tourism, the administration is promoting practices that emphasize eco-friendly accommodations, green transport, local sourcing, and equitable treatment of workers, which also serves to attract eco-conscious travelers. (sustainable tourism practices, tourism sector)
- The First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, highlighted the government's commitment to investing in the tourism sector, stating that increased tourism can lead to more jobs and opportunities for the people of the Philippines. (First Lady, Liza Araneta-Marcos, more tourists, more jobs)
