Industry stakeholders described Remulla’s remark as “not only ill-advised but also damaging to the country’s global reputation as a travel destination.”
Remulla’s controversial statement which came out in several news reports on June 20, was seen as a validation of recent travel advisories and an international online survey that named the Philippines the “least safe” country for tourists.
In his keynote address at the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association’s (HSMA) summit, Remulla remarked: “People do not want to come to the country because they don’t feel safe. They are afraid. There is cynicism in all the bad news that goes on here, and in the political atmosphere, and killing seems an ordinary activity [so] people become afraid.”
Remulla’s comment came just a day after the Department of Tourism (DOT) and various industry groups had roundly criticized that survey as misleading and unfair.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the pushback, denouncing the “HelloSafe Safety Index 2025” as “built on questionable data, lacking in transparency, and entirely disconnected from realities on the ground.”
She emphasized that the Philippines remains committed to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of both domestic and international travelers.
Industry leaders echoed her concern.
Arthur Lopez, president of the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA), warned that such rankings—and worse, official admissions that appear to support them—could undo years of hard work in rebuilding tourism to post-pandemic conditions.
“The HelloSafe report is misleading, unfair, and detrimental to the efforts of the tourism and hospitality industry,” Lopez said. “We fully support Secretary Frasco’s call to set the record straight.”
Maria Paz Alberto, president of the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association (PIATA) and Philippine chapter chair of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), said misleading narratives such as the HelloSafe index can “deter prospective visitors and cause lasting repercussions to businesses reliant on inbound tourism.”
Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) president Arjun Shroff added that responsible messaging is critical.
“False narratives must be corrected swiftly, and it is vital that the government projects confidence in local tourism capabilities,” he said.
