Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco identified the priority projects that will be funded by the Department of Tourism’s proposed P3.57-billion budget next year.
Frasco said during a budget hearing Wednesday the proposed budget would cover expenses of the Office of the Secretary, Intramuros Administration, National Parks Development Committee and the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving which is transitioning as an attached agency of the department.
The 2023 budget will also finance the establishment of tourist service rest areas and information counters across the country, the development of a tourist lifecycle app for tourists, a tourist assistance call center and the launching of a guest incentive system.
Frasco said The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority plans to kickstart the establishment of at least 10 tourist service areas in strategic sites in the remaining months of 2022.