Tourism Secretary Maria Christina Frasco and Sen. Mark Villar
MANILA, Philippines – Senator Mark Villar lauded the Department of Tourism (DOT) for its major accomplishments in the past year.
“I would like to commend the DOT for their efforts in the past year. As stated by President BBM in his SONA, we already had 3 million international visitors just from January to July this year, that’s already 62% of the 4.8 million target for year 2023. This goes to show that the DOT has been relentless in their efforts to bring more tourists in the Philippines.” Mark Villar said
Domestic tourism also proved to be a catalyst for economic recovery and tourism industry resurgence with about 102 million domestic trips in 2022.
A stretch of powdery white sand beach in Panglao Island, Bohol, a top tourist destination in the Visayas. (INQUIRER/LEO UDTOHAN)
“Aside from the international tourism, we must also recognize the efforts of DOT in terms of our domestic tourism. Malaking bagay na napasigla ng DOT, sa pangunguna ni Sec. Frasco, ang ating lokal na turismo sapagkat ito ay nakaka create ng maraming oportunidad para sa ating mga kababayan” Villar explained.
The President also mentioned in his SONA that tourism plays a vital role in the nation’s economic recovery.
“As long as the DOT continues its current programs and policies, I’m confident that we will not only hit record numbers in international and domestic tourists but we will also be the primary tourist destination in our region.” Mark Villar said.
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