President Ferdinand Marcos approved recommendations from the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) to enhance the country’s tourism sector.
During a meeting Wednesday at Malacañan Palace, President Marcos called the proposals “significant initiatives” to attract more international visitors and increase tourism revenues.
One of the key proposals is the “Shopping Festival Philippines,” which will coincide with New Year’s celebrations. The event is designed to incentivize international tourists, encourage higher spending, and boost revenue for the tourism industry.
“We’ve talked about this shopping festival. Again, I think it’s properly categorized as an easy win. So, we’ll do that,” President Marcos said.
The President also supported easing visa access for holders of AJACS (American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen) and AJACSUK (AJACS plus Singapore and UK) visas.
“I think we should stop messing around with this system. It’s so clear already,” President Marcos said, noting the initiative aligns with global practices. However, he emphasized the need for a thorough security review before implementation.
Another recommendation involves modernizing the immigration process through a digital identification system that uses biometric data, such as facial recognition and fingerprint scans. Marcos directed officials to expedite the adoption of the technology.
“It’s just a question of adopting the technology and learning how to use it. Everybody else in the world is doing it already,” he said.
To further boost the country’s tourism sector, President Marcos recently signed the VAT Refund Law or Republic Act No. 12079 into law earlier this year, tourists can claim a VAT refund on goods purchased at accredited retail outlets, provided their transactions meet the minimum requirement of P3,000.
Refunds must be processed within 60 days. The law is expected to increase tourist spending by 30 percent, benefiting industries of all sizes, including micro, small, and medium enterprises.