What Is The Philippines’ Tourist Policy?

The Philippine government recognizes the importance of private sector investments in the development of Philippine tourism, aiming to preserve and promote the country’s heritage, national identity, and sense of unity. The Philippine Tourism Act of 2009, enacted by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on May 12, 2009, recognizes tourism as an indispensable element of the national economy. This paper examines the factors that led to the formulation of the law, focusing on power and politics as constraints in tourism policy and planning.

The future of Philippine tourism is promising, with 8.21 million tourist arrivals projected in 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. The RIA process promotes the assessment of the impacts of a regulation with proper methodology, including cost-benefit analysis and stakeholder consultation. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is responsible for the safe reopening of tourist destinations to restart the economy and help tourism workers regain their jobs.

The national tourism policy emphasizes sustainable tourism development, with major sub-sectors prevalent in Philippine tourism such as ecotourism, medical, health, wellness, retirement, meetings, incentives, conventions, and more. The Tourism Act of 2009 provides for the improvement of the Philippines’ tourism competitiveness, with the TPB responsible for marketing and promoting the country as a major global tourism destination.

Tourism is an essential sector for the Philippine economy, contributing 8.6 percent to the country’s GDP in 2023. The Department of Tourism (DOT) is mandated to encourage, promote, and develop tourism as a major socio-economic activity to generate foreign currency and contribute to the country’s economic growth.

What is the role of tourism in the Philippines?

The Philippine tourism industry is a significant contributor to the country’s GDP, contributing 8. 6 percent in 2023, down from 12. 7 percent in 2019. Coastal tourism, including beach and diving activities, accounts for 25 percent of the industry’s revenue. Popular tourist destinations include Boracay, Palawan, Cebu, and Siargao. Despite political and social challenges, the country has made efforts to improve stability, security measures, and promote social inclusivity, such as the Boracay rehabilitation.

As of 2023, 6. 21 million Filipinos were employed in the tourism industry, and the country generated ₱316. 9 billion ($5. 5 billion) in revenue from tourists, primarily from South Korea, the United States, and Japan. In 2015, the country attracted 5, 360, 682 foreign visitors through its tourism campaign, and in 2019, foreign arrivals peaked at 8, 260, 913.

The Philippines is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Heritage City of Vigan. Additionally, the country has seven Ramsar wetland sites and eight ASEAN Heritage Parks.

What is the concept of tourism policy?

Tourism policy is a set of guidelines and regulations adopted by governments and tourism organizations to promote and manage tourism activities. It includes policies related to infrastructure, destination development, environmental protection, cultural preservation, and community involvement. A study was conducted to analyze the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy on consumer loyalty in the Greek hotel industry. The authors investigated the main concepts associated with CSR and the policies implemented in the tourism sector.

They also studied factors such as customer satisfaction and how CSR influences consumer loyalty in a hotel. A semi-structured interview with 204 visitors in 30 Greek hotels revealed that the average Greek citizen is not particularly familiar with CSR and its activities, and CSR does not impact their intention to visit a hotel and become loyal.

What is the status of tourism in the Philippines?

The Philippines has experienced a surge in tourism post-COVID, with 5. 5 million international tourists in 2023, a significant increase from the previous three years. South Korea and the United States were the main destinations, with a significant portion of international arrivals coming from South Korea. Despite a decline in daily expenditure, total tourism receipts reached pre-pandemic levels, with the highest spending on accommodation services and shopping-related spending.

The “It’s More Fun with You” campaign by the tourism department and the Tourism Promotion Board (TPB) boosted domestic travelers in 2021 and 2022, particularly among Filipino travelers under 34. Domestic tourism expenditures, particularly for miscellaneous services and shopping, increased by 72% between 2022 and 2023. The National Capital Region emerged as the leading domestic travel destination among leisure travelers.

To promote the Philippines as a travel destination beyond fun and adventure, the department launched the “Love the Philippines” campaign, highlighting the good nature of the Filipino people and launching a Philippines Travel app with recommended activities and destinations. Plans for a digital nomad visa are also in place to encourage long-stay tourists to live and work in the Philippines for 12 months, with the possibility of extension.

What is tourism policy planning?

Tourism policy can be defined as a set of rules, regulations, guidelines, directives, and development objectives that serve to guide collective and individual decisions affecting long-term tourism development and daily activities within a destination.

What is the Philippines best known for tourism?

The Philippines, a collection of around 7000 islands, is known for its extensive forests, beautiful beaches, exotic wildlife, and majestic volcanoes. Divided into three island groups: Luzon, Mindanao, and Visayas, the archipelago is surrounded by the South China Sea in the northwest and the Philippines Sea in the northeast. The country offers a variety of sights and experiences, including breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, friendly people, delicious cuisines, and vibrant festivals.

Some famous places to visit include Intramuros, City of Vigan, Banaue Rice Terraces, Tubbataha Reef National Marine Park, Taal Volcano and Lake, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Maria Cristina Falls, and Baroque Churches.

What are the current issues with tourism in the Philippines?

The Philippines’ tourism industry is confronted with a rise in unemployment, poverty, and job losses across a range of sectors, including transportation, travel agencies, tour guides, accommodation, and food supply.

What is the Philippines tourism Plan?

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has unveiled the 2023-2028 National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) to establish a sustainable, resilient, and competitive Philippine tourism industry based on Filipino culture, heritage, and identity. The plan outlines seven measures to achieve this goal, with improving tourism infrastructure and accessibility as a priority. The DOT aims to transform the Philippines’ tourism industry, focusing on not only promoting tourism but also developing the industry from the ground up, focusing on key destinations and emerging and lesser-known destinations.

What are the rights to travel in the Philippines?

The Philippines Supreme Court ruled that the government’s Hold-Orders, which barred petitioners from leaving the country, violated their constitutional right to travel. The court argued that the Hold-Orders had expired and the grounds for their issuance had become moot. The court stated that the right to travel and freedom of movement is a fundamental right guaranteed by the 1987 Constitution and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which extends to all residents regardless of nationality.

The court cited the UDHR in this case, stating that the government had abused its discretion in maintaining the Hold-Orders for an indefinite length of time, arbitrarily violating the petitioners’ fundamental right to freedom of movement.

In Hong Kong law, non-residents were granted all rights as residents except for the right of abode. A Nepalese citizen, who moved to Hong Kong in 1995, was denied entry into the country in 1997 after traveling abroad. The Court of Final Appeal held that the Nepalese citizen, even though not a permanent resident, could re-enter the country under the Basic Law, which incorporated the ICCPR. Restricting his ability to travel would be against the spirit of the protections afforded by the Basic Law.

How many years is tourism in Philippines?

The BS Tourism Program at UP AIT is a four-year course designed to develop leaders with a comprehensive understanding of tourism development and management. The program covers functional areas such as marketing, finance, accounting, human resources, industrial sectors of tourism, tourism development and management, tourism research, general education, and internships in industrial sectors of tourism.

To be admitted, students must be first-year students accepted in the UP College Admission Test, and can apply for transfer from other UP campuses or colleges/universities. Accepted applicants must meet the required grade and earned units at enrollment.

What is the biggest problem in tourism in the Philippines?

The Philippine tourism industry is confronted with significant challenges pertaining to sustainability, inclusivity, and management, particularly with regard to the implementation of the mandatory accreditation system for primary tourism enterprises (PTEs). This hinders the industry’s capacity for development and growth.

What is the tourism policy in the Philippines?

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is responsible for the promotion and development of tourism as a significant socio-economic activity. This is done with the objective of generating foreign currency and local employment, as well as extending the benefits of tourism to a wider population. This is achieved through the support and cooperation of both the private and public sectors.