The Philippine Tourism and Hotel Investment Summit 2024 painted a bright picture for the future of the industry. It highlighted collaboration and investment as key drivers. Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco first remarks, “Through this summit today, we look ahead to further collaborations with hotel owners, investors, and developers to expand their projects in the Philippines, make new investments, thereby increasing room inventory and enhancing our global competitiveness,”
The summit brought together industry leaders for insightful discussions. It included panel sessions with leading developers and hotel entrepreneurs. There were also exhibitions showcasing hotel brands, tourism enterprises, and supplier partners. This collaborative environment fostered the exchange of ideas and strategies for propelling the Philippines’ tourism industry ahead.
With a focus on investment and development, the Philippines is well-positioned to become a tourism powerhouse in Asia. Secretary Frasco emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting tourism growth. Their support comes through various initiatives. These include the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028. Additionally, there are Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZs) and the CREATE law. These measures aim to create a more attractive investment climate for hotel owners, investors, and developers. This will ultimately increase room inventory. It will also enhance the country’s global competitiveness.
The DOT Secretary expressed her optimism stating, “We have laid the groundwork through the National Tourism Development Plan. We have also established tourism enterprise zones. Additionally, our partnerships with all of you have been crucial. The vision of our President needs your continued support. Only through our continued collaboration can we truly usher in a golden era for tourism. The Philippines will rise to its rightful place as the next tourism powerhouse in Asia.”
Chief Operating Officer (COO) Mark T. Lapid of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) explains the importance of collaboration and investment. These efforts are shaping the future of Philippine tourism and aligning with Secretary Frasco’s vision. TIEZA is aligning Philippine tourism with the United Nations Sustainable Goals. This involves prioritizing immediate emergency responses at tourist sites. It ensures the availability of first aid kits and automated external defibrillators (AED).
The summit also addressed the importance of sustainable tourism practices. Secretary Frasco announced that the DOT has issued expanded guidelines. These guidelines focus on Muslim-friendly accommodation establishments. This aims to cater to a growing segment of the tourism market. This aligns with the government’s vision for inclusive tourism development that benefits all Filipinos.
