QUEZON CITY (PIA) -- President Ferdinand "Bongbong" R. Marcos, Jr. (PBBM) led the Philippine Tourism Industry Convergence Reception today at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) hosted the event to help build a stronger and sturdier tourism industry and reinforce the Administration's plan for the country's tourism industry. It is attended by a wide range of players in the sector and representatives from allied industries and enterprises.

According to DOT Secretary Maria Esperanza Christina Frasco, the tourism industry has long had a lot of potential to drive our country's economic growth if it is use in the right way and in a manner that is inclusive, sustainable, proactive, and collaborative.

Sec. Frasco also said that the government is transforming the industry so that it can reach its full potential and be ready to change direction, come up with new ideas, and overcome the problems of our time.

In her speech, DOT Sec. Frasco said that the government has worked hard to increase confidence and openness to the world, that the country is ready to receive tourists by making efforts around Asia and by taking part in the various PHL economic briefings, where the Philippines has been given a very positive outlook.

“As of Oct 16, 2022, there are 1,767,791 international arrivals exceeding the 1.7 million visitors for 2022 previously projected by the DOT prior to June 30,” Sec. Frasco added.

She also talked about the launch of the Philippine Experience Program, which is a culture, heritage, and arts caravan that will go all over the country to show how unique the Philippine heritage and culture are. This aims to diversify the cultural heritage product offerings of the Philippines.

Moreover, President Marcos Jr., in his speech, emphasized that the upstream and the downstream employment that tourism brings is significant. He also mentioned the important roles of the Departmment of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Trade and industry in the mission of the administration to revive the tourism industry in the country.

The President noted that there is a need to develop roads going to various tourist spots to ease tourist travels. 

He also emphasized that the Philippines' best asset is its 107 million young, well-trained workforce and that this is an advantage that can be shared with the rest of the world.

"We must immediately do all that we can to make sure that this asset that the Philippines has must be used to bring jobs to people," the President said. 

PBBM also highlighted how tourism can help our social and economic recovery, especially in the countryside, where we have a lot of beautiful, natural wonders and interesting man-made sites.

"We need fresh and new ideas to bring back the imagination and confidence of our people from here and abroad so they will be encouraged to explore the best destinations that the country can offer," the President stated.

Furthermore, PBBM also affirmed that the government wants tourism, as one of its key players in the country's progress, to be buzzing again, with lives that are stronger than ever so that they can keep up with these fast-moving times. (PIA-NCR)