Senator Legarda Applauds DOT's Measurable Tourism Achievements, Highlights Need for Policy Implementation
During a joint Senate committee hearing on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, Senator Loren Legarda, serving as Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Finance, publicly commended the Department of Tourism (DOT) for delivering clear and measurable market outcomes from its promotional efforts. The hearing, which involved the Committees on Social Justice, Welfare and Rural Development, and Finance, focused on assessing the impact of tourism initiatives across the Philippines.
Record-Breaking Tourism Performance and Economic Contributions
DOT Secretary Cristina Garcia-Frasco presented impressive data, revealing that Philippine tourism generated at least ₱3.86 trillion in combined international and domestic receipts. This substantial economic activity supported no less than 16.4 million Filipinos through direct and indirect employment, underscoring the sector's vital role in job creation and livelihood opportunities.
Domestic tourism reached a remarkable 134 million trips in 2024, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of 122 million trips recorded in 2019. According to World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) data, the Philippines' domestic tourism portfolio is now ranked first in Southeast Asia, with an estimated value of at least US$70 billion.
Regional Leadership and Post-ATF 2026 Momentum
Following the successful hosting of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026, the WTTC reaffirmed the Philippines' standing as a leading tourism-driven economy in the region. Its latest economic impact report showed that tourism contributed over US$91 billion to the national economy, representing the highest GDP contribution among 11 ASEAN countries and accounting for roughly 23 percent of total national employment.
During ATF 2026, the Philippines also hosted the Travel Exchange (Travex), where 81 percent of participating sellers reported sales leads amounting to more than ₱1.4 billion generated in just two days of business-to-business meetings. Senator Legarda emphasized that these figures demonstrate how DOT promotions are producing tangible economic results, translating into jobs, livelihoods, and opportunities across tourism communities nationwide.
Challenges and Calls for Action on Infrastructure and Conversion
While praising these achievements, Senator Legarda stressed that promotional success must be matched by consistent policy action and implementation. She highlighted key areas requiring attention:
- Air connectivity and airport upgrades to ensure tourism benefits reach all regions, not just Manila.
- Conversion of sales leads into confirmed bookings, tour packages, and repeat visits through systematic campaigns.
- Support for emerging destinations by focusing on regional hubs like Cebu and provincial airports.
Legarda called on the DOT, local government tourism offices, and industry partners to collaborate on targeted measures, including temporary promotional assistance for vulnerable routes and faster Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines night-rating and runway upgrades in priority airports such as Antique, Busuanga or Coron, Siargao, and Catarman.
Concrete Next Steps and Future Directions
During the hearing, Legarda pressed for specific actions to sustain momentum:
- Submission of airline break-even data for turboprop routes to guide targeted promotions.
- Clear timelines for runway resurfacing and night-rating in priority destinations.
- A DOT-led conversion plan to monitor and realize outcomes from TRAVEX and similar trade promotions, especially in emerging and underserved areas.
"The DOT has built a measurable sales pipeline," Legarda concluded. "What is needed now is matching policy, budget, and implementation so these gains truly reach every region." This call to action underscores the importance of aligning promotional successes with infrastructural and policy support to maximize tourism's economic impact across the archipelago.
