Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 28) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) is confident domestic tourism will fully recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic this year.
“We fully foresee the 100% recovery of domestic tourism this year and we are hopeful that the 100% recovery of international tourism next year,” Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco told CNN Philippines on Friday.
She added that while the country has already opened up for international travelers, domestic tourists are still the main drivers of the tourism economy.
Frasco was in Boracay to lead the opening ceremony of the “Love Boracay 2023” labor holiday event.
The tourism chief said the government is doing its best to make traveling easy for both local and international tourists—citing the easing of entry protocols, implementing the e-visa system, and improving e-visa policies.
Frasco also made mention of Boracay Island as an example of how domestic tourism is helping the economy.
“Out of the 1.7 million combined arrivals, 1.6 million were domestic tourists. So nagpapasalamat kami sa ating mga kababayan dahil sinuportahan talaga nila ang recovery ng Boracay,” Frasco said.
[Translation: We’re grateful to our countrymen because they supported Boracay’s recovery.]
“Domestic tourists are helping our economy greatly,” she added.
The secretary also urged stakeholders in various tourist spots to make sure Boracay’s sustainable tourism program will be replicated.
“Boracay has become the model of sustainable tourism all over the world,” Frasco said. “We’re seeing the concept of sustainability by stakeholders here, who out of their own volition, recognized the necessity and longevity of the island for generations to come.”
