The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Philippines is optimistic about surpassing its target of 7.7 million tourist arrivals for 2024, riding on the current upward trajectory of the tourism sector.
“With this upward trajectory of the performance of Philippine tourism under the Marcos administration, what we anticipate is that in the same way that we were able to exceed our targets as far as visitor receipts are concerned for 2023, that we would be able to achieve the same feat for 2024,” Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said during the 2024 Post-State of the Nation (SONA) discussions.
Despite this optimism, Frasco highlighted challenges in easing the convenience of entering the Philippines, particularly regarding e-visas. She emphasised the need for full implementation of the e-visa program, as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in cooperation with the Bureau of Immigration (BI).
E-gates and e-visa implementation
Marcos, in his third SONA, underscored the importance of projects that enhance the overall tourist experience. He highlighted the implementation of e-gates and the Philippine e-visa as key initiatives. “Our infrastructure and digital reforms, through the development of tourism sites and the enhancement of the overall tourist experience, are all calculated to boost the productivity of the tourism sector,” Marcos stated.
Electronic gates are set to become standard fixtures at international airports, further facilitating ease of mobility. Additionally, the e-visa system is part of the government’s digital transformation agenda. This initiative aims to streamline and simplify the visa application process, making travel to the Philippines more convenient.
During the SONA, Marcos also announced the ban on all offshore gaming operations in the country. The ban includes legal and illegal operators under Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs) and Internet Gaming Licensees (IGLs).
A multifaceted approach to tourism
The Marcos administration is also focusing on “experiential tourism,” enhancing the tourist experience through various facets such as food, culture, heritage, arts, and eco-tourism. Marcos emphasised the need to elevate the “one town, one product” (OTOP) concept, harnessing Filipino creativity and ingenuity to unlock the untapped potential of these new tourism facets. “This is an imperative and we must elevate and expand our understanding of the ‘one town, one product,’ or OTOP, concept,” he said.
Meanwhile, in an earlier interview with SiGMA News, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman and CEO Alejandro Tengco said the country is expecting have more integrated resorts (IR) in the next few years.
Significant contributions to the economy
Last year, international and domestic visitor receipts amounted to around PHP 3.36 trillion (€52.8 billion). “We’ve also seen, according to the Philippines Statistics Authority (PSA), the highest ever recorded growth rate in terms of tourism direct gross value added to the gross domestic product,” Frasco stated, noting that tourism now contributes 8.6 percent to the country’s GDP. This growth translated into job creation, with over 6.21 million Filipinos employed in the sector, accounting for 12.9 percent of the national employment rate.
Investment in tourism infrastructure
The government has been proactive in addressing the unique challenges faced by the tourism sector, investing heavily in infrastructure development. In 2023, the government allocated over PHP96.6 billion (€1.5 billion) to tourism, with total investments reaching half a trillion pesos. The Tourism Secretary emphasised that these investments are crucial for recovering pre-pandemic numbers and sustaining growth. “However, post-pandemic, the view of the world has changed as far as tourism is concerned,” she noted, emphasising the importance of visitor spending over mere arrival numbers.
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