Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco leads the launch of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) Philippines Hop-On-Hop-Off (HOHO) in the country’s capital introducing Manila’s “Cultural Hub” tours. Joining Secretary Frasco were officials of the City Government of Manila led by Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, and tourism stakeholders. (PIA-NCR file photo)
SAN JUAN CITY, (PIA) — As the Philippines marks one year into the implementation of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) five-year National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), the country is making significant strides towards its goal of becoming a leading tourism destination in Asia.
The progress will be highlighted in the 7th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas (KBP) this week, featuring a media forum with DOT’s regional offices across the country, in collaboration with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA).
In Metro Manila, DOT-NCR Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin will present key statistics on tourist arrivals and the accreditation of tourism establishments. These accredited entities, which include accommodations, travel and tour services, transport services, museums, and clinics, benefit from a range of advantages that will be discussed during the event.
Zabala-Batin will also spotlight pivotal projects such as the Tourism Visual Asset Image Bank, which aims to enhance the country’s visual identity in the tourism market. The press conference will further delve into the growth of medical tourism and the support for cruise ship calls, initiatives designed to attract more international visitors and investments.
One of the notable new initiatives to be introduced is the country’s first airport transit tour, set to launch in the last quarter of 2024. This initiative will allow travelers with layovers to explore the Philippines without leaving the airport, providing a unique opportunity to experience the country’s culture and attractions briefly.
A branding campaign will also be unveiled, positioning Metro Manila not just as the capital but as the cultural and economic epicenter of the nation.
According to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the tourism sector contributed a robust 8.6 percent to the Philippine economy’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2023. Additionally, the DOT reported welcoming over 2.8 million international tourists in the first half of 2024, a 13.7 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year.
With these ongoing efforts and the positive growth trajectory, the Philippines is on track to achieve its vision of becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia by 2028.
The 7th episode of the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas will air on July 9, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. It will be broadcast simultaneously on all the social media platforms of PIA.
Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a media forum organized by the Presidential Communications Office and the PIA. The forum aims to inform and engage the public on key government initiatives and developments. (JVD/PIA-NCR)
