A European business group said while the Philippines is a promising tourism destination, the country faces challenges in advancing alongside its regional counterparts, particularly in expanding hotel infrastructure and streamlining visa processes.
In his speech at a forum in Makati City on Wednesday, European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) President Paulo Duarte acknowledged the strong recovery of the tourism sector last year, but noted “there is still significant work to be done in unlocking the full potential of Philippine tourism and ensuring that the sector remains competitive on a global scale.”
Duarte cited official figures of the Department of Tourism (DOT) showing 2024 revenues at P760.5 billion, up 26.75 percent from pre-pandemic levels of P600 billion in 2019. Compared with 2023 figures of P697.46 billion, revenues last year rose 9 percent.
Duarte said ECCP acknowledges the importance of improving both digital and physical connectivity, seeing it as crucial to link Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao through a seamless transportation network that includes airports, seaports, roads, and trains to support domestic and international tourism.
“However, infrastructure alone is not enough. To truly elevate the tourism sector, we must also focus on ensuring the safety and security of visitors, a critical element for building long-term trust and attracting repeat travelers,” he added.
Duarte also stressed the importance of developing the tourism workforce by enhancing training programs to level up the skills of those working in the sector.
The ECCP head said recent initiatives, such as the enactment of Republic Act No. 12079, providing value-added tax refunds for non-resident tourists, and the launch of the Philippine Hotel Industry Strategic Action Plan, are a step in the right direction.
“It is clear that more comprehensive action is needed to position the Philippines as an
attractive destination for both leisure and business tourism,” he said,
DOT statistics showed tourist arrivals hit a record of 5.95 million in 2024, a record and a 9 percent increase from 5.45 million in 2023.
In contrast, Thailand welcomed 35.54 million tourists in 2024, Malaysia, 27.3 million and Vietnam, 17.5 million, government statistics in those countries showed.
