DOT upbeat on tourism boom with Naia rehab plan

 (INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed hope that the partnership between the government and San Miguel Corporation (SMC) over the rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) will result in more tourist arrivals.

In a statement released following the contract signing, the DOT said that the agreement on the upgrade and rehabilitation of the Naia is a “significant milestone” in fostering a “conducive environment for tourism prosperity.”

The SMC consortium earlier said that it seeks to upgrade the airport’s passenger terminal capacity, among other improvements, when it finally takes the reins in September 2024.

“Now, with a target capacity of 62 million travelers from 35 million, with optimism, we anticipate the newly signed concession agreement to provide a more positive impact on tourism arrivals in the country which we hope will further expand employment opportunities in the tourism industry,” the DOT added.

The Department of Transportation previously said that airport passenger volume in the country is expected to reach 100 million by 2050.

“We look forward to the positive impact that this project will have on our nation’s tourism landscape, enhancing connectivity, accessibility, and visitor experiences for the greater benefit of our local and international tourists as well as the traveling public in general,” it added.

A previous DOT report said that it had welcomed some 1.2 million international visitors in the first two months of 2024 alone on top of the 5 million foreign tourists that arrived in the country in 2023.

In the same statement, the DOT said that the tourism industry contributed to 6.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and employed over five million workers in 2022.

This industry, the DOT stressed, can only continue to thrive by improving the airports and seaports in the country which “serve as the first and last impression of tourists.”