President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Friday said the country’s beaches and other nature sites could help economic growth as many tourists visit the Philippines for the nation’s rich natural resources.

Speaking at the inauguration of the Pagudpud Tourist Rest Area in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, the President highlighted the stunning sceneries found across the archipelago.

“The Philippines is truly beautiful; everywhere you look is just stunning. The cities may be not as much,” he said.

“Once you leave the city, you see the real Philippines. There is no place in the Philippines that’s not beautiful, so that is our investment. Let’s take full advantage of that,” he added.

Thus, the President said, the government started putting up more tourist rest areas (TRAs) outside Metro Manila to make the country Asia’s tourism powerhouse.

He stressed the initiative is crucial in the transformation of Philippine tourism as the government should also focus on providing ease of travel.

“This TRA is an important initiative for us as we want to transform the Philippines into the tourism powerhouse in Asia. We are in very stiff competition,” Marcos said.

“Thailand has done an extremely good job in promoting tourism. Korea has done a very, very good job doing that. Indonesia, the same thing. Vietnam, the same thing,” Marcos added.

Enhancing the overall tourist experience with the necessary services and facilities and showcasing Filipino craftsmanship through locally made goods and culturally influenced designs are two of the main goals of the TRAs.

Every TRA has a tourist information and aid center, restrooms, a breastfeeding station, an automated teller machine (ATM), a rest area, a charging and work station with internet access, a dining facility, and a pasalubong center with locally manufactured goods purchased from the locals.

The ninth facility to be finished and turned over to the local authority is the TRA in Saud Beach. It is the first in Northern Luzon and the first on the mainland of Luzon to be inaugurated.

Additional TRAs can be found at the following locations: Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon; Dauis, Bohol; Medellin, Moalboal, Carmen, and Carcar City in Cebu; and Roxas, Palawan.

By the third quarter of 2024, the 10th TRA, located in Baguio City, is expected to be finished and officially opened.