Make PH stand out, Marcos challenges tourism stakeholders

The Tatusan Festival is a jubilant and colorful celebration in the town of Caluya in the province of Antique. President Marcos enjoined tourism stakeholders to work harder to make the country stand out amidst a very competitive market. MUNICIPAL TOURISM OFFICE OF LGU-CALUYA

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. enjoined tourism stakeholders to work harder to make the country stand out as it targets to breach 7.7 million inbound tourists this year.

“We must work harder to make our country stand out amidst a very competitive market,” Marcos said in his keynote speech during the Tourism Champions Challenge Awarding Ceremony held in Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City.

READ: Recovering tourism industry exceeds target, draws over 5.5 million visitors in 2023

“[W]e are in the midst of a great travel resurgence, which must be met with our own tourism renaissance,” he also said.

Marcos also noted that of the 7.7 million target, 1.2 million tourists have already arrived in the first two months of this year.

The President said the Department of Tourism has expressed optimism in sustaining the gains that the country has made in terms of tourism.

“But, we would all be very happy if we can breach this target again, like we did last year,” Marcos said, noting that there were 5.5 million inbound tourists in the country in 2023, accounting for 100 percent jump compared to tourist arrivals in 2022.

“The world is ready to love the Philippines,” Marcos also said.