The Department of Tourism (DoT) on Wednesday highlighted a year of growth for the tourism sector despite a series of natural and man-made calamities and geopolitical challenges.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, speaking at the ceremonial signing of a memorandum of understanding with several media organizations, said the sector had been tested this year by volcanic eruptions, super typhoons, earthquakes, and other national issues.

“We have navigated geopolitical tensions that have shaped global patterns and absorbed [e]conomic uncertainties,” she said.

She noted that the DoT had also endured a decreasing budget for the past three years, adding that the country’s direct competitors outspend the Philippines by three to eight times.

“Philippine tourism has shown itself to be one of the great silver linings of our national story,” Frasco said. “We did not waste time in offering help to our affected tourism workers and livelihoods that have been devastated by the non-stop calamities.”

She said the agency continues to distribute social protection, emergency health assistance and relief aid to more than 40,000 tourism workers across the country.

Frasco reported that last year’s tourism revenues reached a record high, surpassing pre-pandemic benchmarks and generating employment for nearly 7 million Filipinos.

“We hope to continue this growth by empowering our tourism micro, small and medium enterprises, ensuring that they are provided with ample support to not only continue, but to scale up their business operations,” she added.

The Philippines is preparing to host the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu in January 2026.

DAILY TRIBUNE, one of the forum’s media partners, was represented at the signing by president Willie Fernandez and brand communications executive director Chingkee Mangcucang.

Fernandez expressed support for the tourism sector, particularly noting its constrained budget.

“It’s the perfect time for us to come together. To the people in media, let’s support the department and understand [what they’re dealing with],” he said. “They need our help because they’re doing everything they can to promote the Philippines.”

The ASEAN Tourism Forum is an annual gathering of tourism ministers and stakeholders aimed at promoting the region as a tourism destination through cooperation and marketing.