Travel service receipts reached $9.1 billion, surging past 93 percent of pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Meanwhile, Filipino spending on overseas travel stood at $6.6 billion.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Ma. Christina Garcia-Frasco said this is a testament to the tireless efforts and resilience of our tourism stakeholders.
“We’re committed to solidifying tourism as a key economic pillar for the nation”, she noted.
The travel sector’s contribution to service exports was 18.9 percent in 2023, underlining its growing importance, reported business blog spot Bilyonaryo.
The DOT plans to showcase unique travel experiences to attract both domestic and international visitors. This robust comeback positions the Philippines as a resurgent tourist destination in the region.
Baguio, Cordillera ‘standouts’
In Baguio City, Frasco urged investors to look at the potential of the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) for “Mountain Tourism” given the region’s performance as one of the country’s economic corridors and powerhouse in terms of tourist arrivals.
“As one of the country’s economic corridors, CAR stands as a shining example of a tourism powerhouse receiving no less than 1.685 million visitors in 2023,” she said in a message delivered by DOT-CAR
director Jovita Ganongan during the opening of the Tourism Investors Summit on Tuesday at the Baguio Country Club, the Philippine News Agency reported.
Frasco said the forum, organized by the regional office in collaboration with regional tourism stakeholders, signifies a crucial milestone in the region’s journey towards sustainable tourism development.
“Explore growth opportunities, evaluate the cost of doing business and gather market insights crucial for informed decision-making,” she said.
She cited that with the region’s rich culture, history, heritage, and identity, the region’s economic opportunities are vast for investors and travelers alike, and are aligned with the department's overarching objective of enhancing connectivity, convenience, and equality as outlined in the national tourism development plan 2023-2028.
She said their vision for the country’s tourism is not merely to be an engine of investment but a catalyst for sustainable development, a source of gainful employment, and a platform promoting sustainable tourism practices.
Tourism serves as a source of pride for Filipinos, she said.
“Let us embrace the spirit of collaboration and innovation as we embark on this journey towards tourism development in the Cordilleras and across the new Philippines’ Bagong Pilipinas where nobody and no destination will be left behind,” she said.
#WeTakeAStand #OpinYon #Baguio #TourismPH #BaguioLGU #DOT