Govt reforms behind gains in PH tourism

TOURISM Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco attributed the significant growth of the tourism sector in 2024 to government reforms under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. She said that Philippine tourism increased significantly in terms of expenditure by international tourists in 2024 compared to 2023, even surpassing figures recorded in 2019 before the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted global travel. "Therefore, beyond quantity, we are attracting quality, yielding more revenues for our stakeholders and jobs for our people," Frasco said on Wednesday. "And as we have focused on elevating the quality of tourism in the Philippines and diversifying our tourism products, tourists are staying longer in the Philippines," she added. Frasco based her statement on an Asean comparative evaluation of tourism expenditure per capita performed by the World Travel and Tourism Council, saying international visitors spend at least $2,073 per person. Tourists were now staying in the Philippines for an average of more than 11 nights, up from 9 nights in 2019, it said "Data would show that 70 percent of tourists coming to the country are repeat visitors, and our tourists have come to Love the Philippines with a higher spend, longer stay, and repeat visits," Frasco said. Frasco added that overseas tourist receipts increased by 119 percent from P600 billion in 2019 to P712 billion between January and Dec. 15, 2024. An April 2024 Labor Force Survey said 16.4 million Filipinos work in tourism, accounting for 34 percent of total employment in the first quarter, profiting directly or indirectly from tourism. "As we continue to strengthen the country's tourism industry, the DOT is committed to creating even more opportunities for Filipinos over the years by diversifying our tourism offerings, promoting both established and emerging destinations, and ensuring that every region reaps the benefits of a robust and inclusive tourism economy," Frasco said.