Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco made a compelling pitch for the Philippines as “an excellent investment” during a high-level meeting on Wednesday, October 15, aimed at deepening tourism and investment partnerships with the European business community.
Secretary Frasco welcomed a 30-man delegation from the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (ECCP) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC), underscoring the strong financial returns available in the nation’s tourism sector.
The tourism chief described the country as a “gift that keeps on giving,” citing the sector’s robust performance.
“The Philippines is a country that offers high-value, low-impact tourism experiences,” Secretary Frasco stated, noting that tourism spending is at an all-time high. “Every peso that is spent in Philippine tourism, there is a yield of around 450 per cent, or at P5.50.”
She supported this by emphasizing the strong fundamentals for tourism investment under President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s administration, driven by the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028.
“We have tried as best we can to first address the foundational challenges of tourism, for most of which is infrastructure and connectivity, given our archipelagic nature,” the Secretary added, noting the DOT’s effort to ensure equitable tourism development across the islands.
The courtesy call brought together top executives from leading European companies under the ECCP and EU-ABC banners to explore promising investment opportunities. Discussions centered on:
Tourism infrastructure development through the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
Collaborative prospects in digitalization, health and wellness tourism, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), and green tourism development.
Secretary Frasco expressed great optimism about strengthened partnerships, highlighting the government’s ongoing reforms in visa facilitation, digitalization, connectivity, destination management, and the overall enhancement and diversification of the tourism experience.
ECCP President Paulo Duarte reaffirmed the European business community’s confidence in the Philippine tourism sector.
He extended “the EU and ECCP’s hands of collaboration in the many countless reasons to Love The Philippines.”
Mr. Duarte noted that the Philippines continues to capture the attention of the world, “not only for its stunning natural beauty, but also because of the kindness, the warmth, and the genuine hospitality of the Filipino people–these are what make every visit memorable, and what truly brings to life Love The Philippines.”
Also present from the DOT were Undersecretaries Maria Rica Bueno and Ferdinand Jumapao, Assistant Secretaries Ina Zara-Loyola, Sharlene Zabala Batin, and Ronald Conopio, and Directors Paulo Benito Tugbang and Atty. Glen Albert Ocampo.
