DoT sees sustained growth in tourism sector

The Department of Tourism (DoT) said it expects to sustain industry growth following last year’s performance, citing the administration’s prioritization of tourism.

“The President’s prioritization of the industry enabled it to achieve record-breaking numbers and notable milestones in 2023,” said Tourism Chief Maria Esperanza Christina G. Frasco in a statement sent over the weekend.

“The DoT is optimistic about achieving even greater heights for Philippine tourism this year and in the coming years,” she added.

Ms. Frasco noted that 2023 became a banner year for the tourism sector, contributing 8.6% to the country’s gross domestic product, marking the highest growth rate in tourism direct gross value added in 24 years.

The sector also recorded a $2.45 billion net trade surplus last year, the first in 15 years, and P509 billion in investments, a 34% increase from the previous year.

The industry exceeded its 4.8 million international arrival target for last year by welcoming 5.45 million international visitors in 2023, a 75.3% increase from the previous year.

As of July 19, the country had already received 3.33 million international arrivals, representing 43% of the DoT’s 7.7 million target for 2024.

Meanwhile, January-to-June tourism earnings grew 32.8% to P282.17 billion from P212.47 billion in the same period last year.

Ms. Frasco said that with Mr. Marcos’ support, the DoT was able to craft and implement innovative programs that enhanced the quality of tourism services and expanded opportunities nationwide, resulting in longer stays and increased spending.

“Together with our partners across government agencies and the private sector, we have worked collaboratively toward the President’s aspiration for the Philippines to take its rightful position on the global tourism stage,” she added.

Source: Business World

Tourism revenue tops P404 billion in first 10 months

The Department of Tourism (DoT) said the tourism industry generated P404.02 billion in revenue in the first 10 months, after over 4.63 million foreign tourists visited the Philippines.

Tourism revenue for the period grew 190% from a year earlier, it said.

The international visitors are equivalent to “96% of our target,” Tourism Secretary Esperanza Christina G. Frasco said, adding that projected revenue over the full year is $7 billion.

Ms. Frasco was speaking at the 2023 Philippine Economic Briefing in California.

This year, the DoT is targeting 4.8 million international arrivals. Last year, the industry generated the equivalent of 6.2% of gross domestic product.

Ms. Frasco said the key to unlocking tourism’s potential is addressing challenges in infrastructure, connectivity and digitalization.

“We have engaged in a collaboration with the Department of Public Works and Highways for the purpose of continuing the tourism road infrastructure program. As a result of that, over 158 kilometers of tourism roads have been constructed or rehabilitated this year, with more to come in 2024 and in succeeding years,” she said at a panel discussion.

She added that DoT is also collaborating with the Department of Transportation not only for hard infrastructure investment but also for human capital development.

“We have trained frontline tourism workers in our airports and seaports in the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence. This program, as a whole, has trained over 111,000 workers across the tourism value chain,” Ms. Frasco said.

Meanwhile, she said the department is also counting on the construction of five cruise terminals in the coming year.

Source: Business World