Philippines and UNWTO Collaborate to Boost Tourism Investments

MANILA — The Philippines is actively engaging with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) to develop a framework aimed at attracting more foreign investment into the country’s tourism sector, Secretary Christina Frasco of the Department of Tourism (DOT) revealed. These discussions, part of a broader effort to enhance the nation’s tourism infrastructure and services, were highlighted during the 36th Joint Commission Meeting of the Commission for East Asia and the Pacific and the Commission for South Asia (CAP-CSA).

According to Philippines News Agency, the UNWTO is providing expert guidance to help craft this framework, which is expected to be finalized by the end of 2024. “The UN Tourism has a specific template that they provide expert guidance to countries. So, this will be a measure that we will be working on with UN Tourism,” Frasco said in an interview on Friday. The initiative is seen as crucial for the Philippines, especially as it aligns with the President’s priority to boost tourism investments.

In addition to the investment framework, the DOT plans to introduce a Philippine Hotel Industry Strategic Action Plan. This comprehensive plan will address accommodation standards, workforce skills matching, digitalization, and strategic investments across key destinations within the country. The aim is to expand the number of hotel rooms, known as “room keys,” and open up further opportunities in the tourism value chain.

Philippine Hotel Owners Association Executive Director Benito Bengzon Jr. underscored the importance of this initiative, noting that while there is confidence among local investors, attracting more foreign investment groups and hotel operators is essential. “The investment framework is something that we continue to look at very closely because we want to make sure that the overall investment framework, particularly for hotel investments, is comparable to what you would find in the region,” Bengzon Jr. said. He emphasized the need for stronger market demand to draw more tourists and visitors.

Data from the DOT indicates that the Philippines currently ranks fifth in Southeast Asia in terms of room inventory, with 212,373 available rooms as of 2021, signaling the potential for significant growth in the sector. During the joint UN Tourism CAP-CSA meeting, member states also discussed strategies to promote education, innovation, and investment in the region’s tourism, including green digital transformation and sustainability measures.

The recent meetings have been well-received, with officials from UN Tourism praising the Philippines for successfully hosting the events, which included the first UN Regional Gastronomy Forum for Asia and the Pacific, attracting over 600 delegates from 43 countries.