The Department of Tourism (DOT) is optimistic of a faster recovery of the sector, surpassing pre-pandemic levels sooner than expected following the exponential increase in arrivals.
DOT Secretary Christina Frasco in her speech at the National Conference of Employers yesterday said as of August 14, tourist arrivals have tallied at 1.2 million since the borders were reopened to international leisure travel in February.
That is 636 percent higher than the 163,000 arrivals recorded in 2021.
“Inbound travel is starting to pick up…We still have a few months left to go before the end of the year. And so I am optimistic in the continued recovery of the tourism industry,” Frasco said.
According to Frasco, tourism used to hold more than 12 percent in the country’s total gross domestic product prior to the pandemic and it is predicted to regain its position only in 2025.
But she said the DOT will work “not only to recover back to where we were in 2019, but rather to exceed our past position” owing to the sector’s potential to boost the economy.
The tourism industry lost about 77 percent of international tourism revenues in 2020 affecting over 4.8 million workers.
In 2021, the tourism industry employed about 4.9 million individuals ,4.6 percent higher than the 4.7 million employed in 2020, contributing to 11.1 percent of the total employment of the country.
Frasco said the DOT is addressing the challenges faced by the industry by first addressing travel access.
“We will prioritize the improvement of tourism infrastructure and accessibility by improving existing facilities by land, sea and air. The DOT is pushing for a passenger experience that is stress-free with more efficient service and reduced passenger waiting time,” Frasco said.
The DOT is working with the Department of Transportation for pilot projects where it will be introducing improvements to key gateways.
Frasco said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2, the Davao International Airport and the Cebu City Pier One have been identified as the three benchmark gateway access facilities. – Irma Isip
