The Philippines aims to become a “tourism powerhouse” in Asia by focusing on heritage and culture, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.
The goal is part of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028, which also emphasizes sustainability, inclusivity and resilience.
“Under the National Tourism Development Plan, we seek to provide interventions to strengthen tourism not just for the present but for future generations,” Frasco told students and faculty at Mater Dei College in Tubigon, Bohol on Aug. 22, 2025.
Frasco cited infrastructure initiatives aimed at boosting the sector, including the construction of more than 700 kilometers of tourism roads nationwide in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). She also cited the rollout of tourist rest areas (TRAs) and the recent privatization of the Bohol Airport to expand connectivity.
She said that in 2024, tourism contributed P3.86 trillion, or nearly 9 percent of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) and supported 6.75 million jobs.
She also detailed flagship programs aimed at empowering local communities, including the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC) for local government-led projects; the Philippine Experience Program (PEP) for cultural tours; the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence (FBSE) training for tourism workers; and the Tourist Assistance Call Center (TACC).
