Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman shared with Japanese investors at the recent Philippine Business Opportunities Forum held in Tokyo, Japan, the country’s priority expenditures including the Build Better More infrastructure program that will also greatly improve the overall tourism experience in the Philippines.
A total of Php6.39 billion has been allocated for the tourism sector under the FY 2023 National Budget to support the Department of Tourism (DOT) in its campaigns for the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination and to boost the interest of foreign investors in the Philippine experience.
Pangandaman acknowledged the great contribution not only of Japanese investors but also of Japanese tourists to Philippine economic growth. Following a meeting with investors for the tourism sector in Japan, she added, “The Japanese love leisure and recreation so we are enticing them to visit the Philippines more.”
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DoTR) signed with DOT a Memorandum of Agreement that will establish better airports and seaports to improve the overall tourist experience.
The Tourism Road Infrastructure Program under the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) has also been allocated some Php 17.69 billion for the construction and improvement of roads and infrastructure facilities in tourist zones.
The DOT is also keen on developing tourist rest areas, establishing tourism assistance call centers for tourist convenience, bringing tourism to the digital age, and implementing fiscal and non-fiscal incentives to tourists. With all these improvements, the DOT hopes to exceed current tourism numbers.
According to DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, the tourism sector has already recovered over 62 percent of its pre-pandemic flights, and generated nearly USD 4 billion and 5.2 billion tourism-related employment, contributing to the country’s GDP growth.
