The Department of Tourism (DOT) convened the Tourism Coordinating Council (TCC) on 18 March at the Diamond Hotel Manila to assess the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028 and map out next steps for boosting the country's tourism sector.

The TCC, established under Republic Act No. 9593 and chaired by the DOT Secretary, is tasked with ensuring effective coordination among government agencies and industry partners. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. approved the NTDP in 2022, with the plan focused on sustainable, inclusive, and resilient tourism development.

In her remarks, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco cited the continued recovery and performance of the tourism sector as a top economic driver.

“We are delighted to inform you that tourism continues to be a thriving sector in our nation and one of the top economic development drivers of our country. This is evident in the numbers that reflect our collective hard work and commitment in transforming Philippine tourism as a force for good.” she said.

Frasco also highlighted lingering challenges such as limitations in air connectivity, capacity constraints in key destinations, geopolitical uncertainties, and the need for greater inter-agency coordination.

To address these issues, the DOT outlined various partnerships with government agencies. These include projects with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for improving airports and seaports, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for building tourism roads, and the Department of Health (DOH) for setting up Tourist First Aid facilities. The DOT is also working with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to expand internet access in tourism destinations, and with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) for the Cruise Visa Waiver Program.

“Tourism is a representation of our collaborative efforts to pursue sustainable development to uplift the lives of the Filipino people, and therefore, the success of tourism lies in our commitment to the betterment of our beloved country. We cannot move towards this effort of transformation without your invaluable help and contributions to the tourism industry. We earnestly hope for your continued assistance and support towards the initiatives of the Department of Tourism, as well as the goal of our President to make tourism truly a transformational force for our country,” Secretary Frasco said.

AIM, PIDS resources

The meeting featured assessments by experts from the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) and the Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS), who were tapped to evaluate NTDP outcomes and suggest policy directions.

Dr. Maria Cherry Lyn Rodolfo of AIM presented the Budget Convergence Report, which summarized findings from consultations among DOT and other agencies using a Program Convergence Budgeting (PCB) framework. This approach aims to optimize government resource allocation across tourism development initiatives.

Dr. John Paolo Rivera of PIDS shared his preliminary review of NTDP implementation. He cited the country’s strong tourism receipts and growth in both domestic and international visitor arrivals, especially from markets such as South Korea, the United States, and Japan. He emphasized the need to sustain these gains by improving air connectivity, visa facilitation, and promotion of emerging destinations.

“The numbers are telling a powerful story of recovery and growth,” Rivera said. “Leaning from these figures, it highlights not just recovery, but real momentum that we must build upon moving forward by continuously contributing to the achievements of the NTDP’s seven strategic objectives.”

Rivera also urged greater investment in digital infrastructure and tourism-related workforce training, especially in areas such as digital tourism management and sustainable practices. He noted that domestic tourism has been a key stabilizer during economic slowdowns and should be supported alongside international market diversification.

An open forum led by Dr. Eylla Laire Gutierrez of AIM resulted in the proposal to form a technical working group (TWG) to enhance policy coordination and improve implementation of tourism-related interventions.

DOT Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso wrapped up the session with a policy briefing on next steps, including closer collaboration with agencies and partners to ensure the NTDP remains on track.