Bagong Pilipinas Episode 13: NATIONAL TOURISM DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2023-2028

Summary

The Philippine government, under President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, is prioritizing tourism as a key economic driver. With a national plan to boost infrastructure and connectivity, the country aims to enhance tourist experiences through improved roads, bridges, and transport systems. The Department of Tourism is also focusing on digitalization, with a tourist life cycle app and a tourist assistance call center to address issues. Efforts to engage overseas Filipino workers as tourism ambassadors highlight the industry's commitment to creating memorable moments and showcasing the nation's best offerings.

Takeaways

• 🌏 The Philippines aims to become a tourism powerhouse in Asia.
• 📈 As of December 2022, the country welcomed 2.65 million international visitors.
• 💰 The tourism industry generated 214 billion pesos in foreign exchange earnings.
• 🏆 President Ferdinand Marcos Jr's administration prioritizes tourism as a key economic driver.
• 🛣️ Infrastructure development, including roads, bridges, and drainage systems, is a focus to enhance tourist destinations.
• ✈️ Connectivity is a significant challenge, with efforts to resume old routes and add new international and domestic ones.
• 🚢 Collaboration with the Department of Transportation to improve gateways such as airports and seaports.
• 💡 The Department of Information and Communications Technology is leveraging technology to enhance tourism infrastructure and experiences.
• 📱 A tourist life cycle app is being developed in partnership with the Tourism Promotions Board to improve tourist services.
• 🏞️ Groundbreaking has begun on 10 tourist rest areas across the Philippines to provide amenities and support local businesses.

Q & A

What is the goal of the national tourism development plan in the Philippines?

The goal is to transform the Philippines into a tourism powerhouse in Asia, focusing on infrastructure development, connectivity, and promoting the country as a prime tourist destination.

How many international visitors did the Philippines have as of December 2022?

As of December 2022, the Philippines had 2.65 million international visitors.

What is the estimated foreign revenue generated by the tourism industry in the Philippines?

The estimated foreign revenue generated by the tourism industry is 214 billion pesos.

Which administration is prioritizing the development and transformation of the tourism industry in the Philippines?

The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is prioritizing the development and transformation of the tourism industry.

What are some of the infrastructure improvements being made to enhance tourism in the Philippines?

Infrastructure improvements include enhancing roads, bridges, drainage systems, water systems, and sewerage systems, in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways.

How is the Philippines addressing the issue of connectivity in the tourism industry?

The country is aggressively pursuing the resumption of old routes and the addition of new international and domestic routes, in collaboration with the Department of Transportation.

What is being done to modernize transport infrastructures for tourists in the Philippines?

Transport infrastructures are being modernized to enhance passenger experience at airports, seaports, and railways, with a focus on improving ICT and internet connectivity in tourist destinations.

What is the role of the Department of Information and Communications Technology in the tourism sector?

The Department of Information and Communications Technology is working to digitalize tourism infrastructure to improve the tourism experience and promote the country as a tourist destination.

What initiatives are being taken to ensure a positive tourist experience in the Philippines?

Initiatives include establishing a tourist life cycle app, improving ICT and internet connectivity, setting up a tourist assistance call center, and creating tourist rest areas with clean restrooms and information centers.

How is the Philippines engaging with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the tourism sector?

Overseas Filipino workers are being engaged as Philippine tourism ambassadors, with efforts to include them in economic development plans and to listen to their needs for crafting national tourism policies.

What is the vision for the Philippines' tourism industry in terms of global reintroduction?

The vision is to reintroduce the Philippines to the world, highlighting the beauty, grace, and hospitality of the Filipino people, and showcasing the nation's best offerings as a tourist destination.