President Marcos Jr. Advocates for Enhanced Philippine Tourism through Consolidation and Promotion

MANILA: Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for consolidating tourism services and promoting local cuisines and sports to strengthen the nation’s global tourism appeal. In a recent meeting at Malacañan Palace with the Private Sector Advisory Council’s (PSAC) Tourism Sector, President Marcos highlighted the importance of a more structured tourism system, similar to Thailand’s, for boosting convenience for visitors.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PSAC-Tourism Sector presented several recommendations, including a ‘Visit, Stay, Spend, Return’ strategy and simplification of visa application processes. Notably, the council proposed temporary 30-day visa-free entry for tourists and third-party handling of the e-visa system. President Marcos expressed particular interest in developing sports tourism and showcasing the country’s native cuisines, recognizing their potential to attract more tourists. The meeting attendees, including prominent business leaders, discussed initiatives to enhance airport connectivity and match hotel supply with neighboring countries through incentives such as VAT refund schemes for tourists. The Philippines witnessed a significant recovery in tourism last year, with over 5.4 million arrivals and PHP482.54 billion in tourism receipts.