A Collaborative Vision
Designed with an all-encompassing vision in mind, the summit brought together key public and private stakeholders in the tourism industry. Hosted at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bonifacio Global City, the event aimed to amplify awareness of immense investment opportunities within Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) assets and Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZs). DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who served as the keynote speaker, underscored the importance of the summit as a platform for essential partnerships that will elevate the nation’s tourism infrastructure.
Secretary Frasco emphasized the role of public-private partnerships in shaping the future of Philippine tourism. “This is your invitation to shape the future together with the Philippine government by way of joint ventures and other modalities,” she said. Multiple avenues for private sector engagement were discussed, including partnering for the redevelopment of TIEZA assets, capital and expertise contribution in Flagship TEZs, and registering tourism-related businesses with TIEZA for fiscal and non-fiscal incentives.
Industry Overview and Building a Legacy
The summit also offered a snapshot of the global and local tourism industry. In her presentation, the DOT chief noted that travel and tourism made up 7.6% of the Global Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022, a figure projected to double by 2033. In the Philippines, the tourism sector had a robust recovery rate and contributed significantly to the nation’s economy.
“President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos, Jr. emphasized that tourism is a priority, stemming from the deep love that you, me, and all of us have for the Philippines,” Secretary Frasco stated. She concluded her message by framing the Philippines as not just an investment opportunity but an invitation to be part of a legacy. “A legacy marked by growth, sustainable development, and mutual success,” she noted.
The event also featured several industry leaders, such as Cesar Mario Mamon of Enchanted Kingdom, Ricardo Isla of Air Asia Philippines, Alex Reyes of Cebu Pacific, and Captain Stanley Kua Ng of Philippine Airlines. Their participation underscored the commitment of the private sector to work collaboratively with the government, solidifying the unity between the two sectors in planning the future of Philippine tourism.
With this summit, the government and private stakeholders have laid down a solid foundation for future collaborations aimed at boosting the Philippine tourism sector.
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