The Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed in a recent report that over 16 million Filipinos are currently employed in the tourism sector as of the first quarter of 2024.
DOT Secretary Christina Frasco highlighted the significant contribution of tourism to the Philippine economy, serving as a robust pillar that drives growth, generates revenue for businesses, and provides employment opportunities for millions of Filipinos.
Describing tourism as an “economic powerhouse,” Secretary Frasco shared that the combined domestic and international visitor receipts in 2023 surpassed PHP3.36 trillion, translating into substantial revenues that support businesses and livelihoods, especially for those in need of employment.
She noted that the industry experienced an unprecedented growth rate of nearly 48 percent, marking the highest in tourism history.
Underlining the industry’s impact, Secretary Frasco emphasized that tourism now contributes 8.6 percent to the country’s GDP, with a trade surplus exceeding USD2.45 billion in travel services.
The Philippine tourism sector not only surpassed all baseline targets in 2023 but also played a pivotal role in job creation and the nation’s goal to achieve upper-middle-income status.
Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) report, Secretary Frasco highlighted that the Philippines boasts the largest domestic tourism market in Southeast Asia, valued at over PHP52 billion.
Additionally, she mentioned that the Philippines contributed USD78 billion to the economy in 2023, representing the highest national output in Southeast Asia.
Looking ahead, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive to enhance the tourism experience, the DOT is set to build 22 new Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) this year, with plans for more in the future. These TRAs have been recognized as the best tourism infrastructure of the year at the GovMedia Conference & Awards 2024 in Singapore.
Ensuring tourist safety remains a top priority, with the construction of tourist first aid facilities in key destinations like Boracay, La Union, Siargao, Panglao Island in Bohol, and Palawan, backed by trained healthcare personnel and emergency response support.
Moreover, the DOT has trained over 219,000 individuals in the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence and collaborated with the Department of the Interior and Local Government to train over 8,000 tourist police officers, further enhancing the quality of tourism services and ensuring a safe and pleasant experience for visitors across the Philippines.
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