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DOT SAYS ‘EQUITABLE TOURISM DEVELOPMENT’ A FACTOR IN GDP GROWTH ACROSS ALL REGIONS IN THE PHILIPPINES
MANILA, PHILIPPINES — Attributing to the government’s efforts to spread tourism development across all areas of the Philippines, the Department of Tourism (DOT) lauded the latest report by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) that showed economies in the country’s 18 regions grew in 2024.
The PSA on April 22, 2025, reported that “all economies of 18 regions continued to record annual positive growths in 2024.”
“Central Visayas posted the fastest growth of 7.3 percent in 2024 at Constant 2018 Prices. Caraga ranked second at 6.9 percent, followed by Central Luzon at 6.5 percent,” it noted.
It added, “Other four regions with growths faster than the national level were Davao Region, 6.3 percent; Eastern Visayas, 6.2 percent; Northern Mindanao, 6.0 percent; and the newly created Negros Island Region (NIR), 5.9 percent.”
According to the PSA, the said regions had higher growth rates than the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) registered at 5.7 percent in 2024.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who hails from Central Visayas, particularly from the province of Cebu, said the DOT welcomed the PSA’s report on the GDP growth across the regions.
“We at the Department of Tourism are elated by this positive development. This strongly affirms our strategy to equalize tourism development across all regions, as directed by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028. The robust growth in regional economies such as those in Central Visayas, Regions III (Central Luzon), VIII (Eastern Visayas), XI (Davao), X (Northern Mindanao), and XIII (Caraga), among others, demonstrates the far-reaching impact of tourism when it is inclusive, community-based, and sustainably driven,” Secretary Frasco said.
Meanwhile, the DOT has seen a steady growth in tourists visiting various regions of the country since the Philippines reopened its borders to international travelers in 2022.
For instance, Region XIII or Caraga—composed of the provinces of Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, and Dinagat Islands—welcomed 725,266 local and foreign travelers in 2022, 1,460,199 in 2023, and 1,728,856 in 2024.
There was also a growth in tourist arrivals in Region XI or Davao Region with 2,153,374 in 2022, 3,228,035 in 2023, and 4,115,581 in 2024.
In addition, 5,485,943 in tourists visited Central Visayas or Region VII in 2023, and 7,517,450 in 2024.
“Through our flagship programs such as the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), the establishment of Tourist Rest Areas (TRA), and the Tourism Champions Challenge (TCC), we continue to empower provinces, cities, and municipalities to realize their full tourism potential. These programs serve as concrete instruments for spreading opportunities and uplifting local economies, giving communities the means to thrive while showcasing the diverse beauty and heritage of the Philippines.” The Tourism Chief added.
She explained that pursuant to the NTDP 2023-2028, the government works toward promoting a sustainable and inclusive tourism industry, wherein not only tourists but also local communities nationwide benefit from the fruits of tourism.
Secretary Frasco cited the April 2024 Labor Force Survey of the PSA, which showed that 16.4 million Filipinos, representing 34% of total employment in the first quarter, benefitted directly or indirectly from tourism.
Also, the Philippines earned an all-time high revenue in tourism, estimated at P760 billion in 2024, making tourism a key pillar of the country’s economy.
“Tourism has become a vital pillar of our country’s economy, not just because of the revenue it brings, but because of the millions of lives it touches. With 16.4 million Filipinos benefitting from tourism-related jobs and services, we are seeing how strategic and regionally balanced tourism can uplift livelihoods, strengthen local pride, and support our nation’s goal of achieving inclusive and equitable growth that could propel the nation’s socioeconomic status forward,” Secretary Frasco said.
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Published:April 25, 2025
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