MANILA – The tourism industry recorded 6.21 million employment for Filipinos in 2023, an increase nearing its 6.3 million target employment in tourism for 2028 or almost four years ahead, as cited on the approved National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023-2028.
This was based on the recent Philippine Tourism Satellite Account (PTSA) of the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) released on Tuesday, 18 June 2024.
In a release from the Department of Tourism (DOT), the said numbers show the vital role of the tourism industry as a pillar of growth and economic recovery post-pandemic.
The Tourism Department further stated that employment in tourism characteristic industries grew by 6.4 percent, from 5.84 million in 2022 to 6.21 million in 2023.
The percentage share of employment in tourism industries to the total employment in the country last year was also recorded at 12.9 percent, DOT added.
Meanwhile, the tourism industry posted its highest growth based on the report with an 8.6 percent share of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
“The Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA) amounted to P2.09 trillion in 2023, the highest since the PSA began compiling the data in 2000. The figures are higher by 47.9 percent compared with the P1.41 trillion TDGVA in 2022 when it recorded a 6.4 percent contribution to the GDP,” DOT revealed.
The TDGVA refers to the gross value added by tourism industries and other industries of the economy that directly serve visitors.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco expressed appreciation for the support the tourism industry has been receiving under the current administration.
“The tourism growth rate being the highest ever recorded for the Philippines is a testament to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr,’s strong emphasis on prioritizing the tourism sector, and with the consolidated efforts of the Department of Tourism, other government agencies and the private sector, our transformative agenda for tourism has set the industry on this upward trajectory whose benefits are felt by millions of Filipinos,” Secretary Frasco said.
Frasco also mentioned the effects of the department’s efforts to “equalize” tourism development and to engage in “shared tourism governance”.
“Having adopted the National Tourism Development Plan 2023-2028 that strengthens the foundation for tourism on infrastructure and connectivity, and expands government intervention in terms of the development of products, markets, and destinations, it is heartening to see that our efforts to equalize tourism development, engage in shared tourism governance, and diversify our tourism offerings have created more job opportunities and contributed greatly to our economy. We remain committed to further developing and promoting the Philippines to become a tourism powerhouse in Asia as envisioned by our President,” the tourism chief added.
Meanwhile, based on the PTSA report, domestic tourism expenditure also grew by 72.3 percent, from P1.55 trillion in 2022 to P2.67 trillion in 2023.
Among forms of tourism expenditures, inbound tourism expenditure, which refers to the expenditure of non-resident visitors within the Philippines, such as foreign visitors and Filipinos permanently residing abroad, posted P697.46 billion in 2023, the highest to date registering an 87.7 percent growth from 371.58 billion recorded in 2022, also higher than the P600.01 billion in 2019, the DOT shared.
Meanwhile, outbound tourism expenditure posted a 10 percent growth rate, from P189.29 billion in 2022 to P208.25 billion in 2023. Internal tourism expenditure, comprising inbound and domestic tourism expenditure grew by 75.3 percent, from P1.92 trillion in 2022 to P3.36 trillion in 2023, the DOT added.
“The results of the PSA report clearly show the enthusiasm of our fellow Filipinos in exploring and experiencing the beauty of our own country, and their profound love for the Philippines. It reflects the strong desire to support local businesses, contribute to the growth of our economy, and demonstrate the increasing appeal of the Philippines as a destination of choice for both international visitors and our fellow Filipinos abroad. It showcases the richness of our cultural heritage, the breathtaking natural wonders, and the warm hospitality that our country has to offer,” Frasco said.
