Philippines President Marcos Call for Sustainable and Gastronomy Tourism in Historic Year of Tourism Growth
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) 2024 Economic Impact Research (EIR) predicts a historic year ahead for Travel & Tourism in the Philippines, with significant increases expected in its economic contribution, employment figures, and visitor expenditures.
According to the latest findings, the sector’s economic impact is poised to exceed ₱5.4 trillion this year, reflecting a remarkable 25% year-on-year growth. Travel & Tourism now constitutes more than one-fifth (21.3%) of the national economy, and the substantial employment gains in the tourism sector in 2024 will lead tourism jobs to account for 20% of the national workforce. Both international and domestic visitor spending are anticipated to reach new heights in 2024, surpassing previous records at ₱715.6 billion and ₱3.7 trillion, respectively, exceeding 2019 levels by 5.7% and 1.8%.
This growth underscores the government's commitment to enhancing tourism infrastructure and initiatives. At the 36th Joint Meeting of the UN Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia, President Marcos Jr. urged the tourism sector to “go green,”claiming that sustainability is key to tourism development in the Philippines. He listed easing visa procedures, improving water sanitation and healthcare facilities in tourist destinations, and improving connectivity hubs as priority initiatives. The event also hosted the First UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Asia and the Pacific, which encouraged both public and private sectors to integrate food tourism into policies and practices.