TOURISM, MEDICAL TRAVEL & RETIREMENT
Given the natural, cultural, and human resrouce endowments of the Philippines, tourism has been identified as an important sunrise, globally competitive industry by the national government. Tourism development can have strong proverty reduction effects in remote and rural areas. It has been calculated that for every foreign tourist that visits the country and spends about a thousand dolars, one job for one year is supported. Each dollar US$1 spent by a tourist to pay for accommodation services gets multiplied 2.1 times.
Background
Travel and tourism is currently the fourth largest source of foreign exchange revenues. From 2000 to 2009, the average annual spending of US$2.2 billion by international visitors contributed 43.5% and 4.8% to the service export and total export revenues of the Philippines, respectively. [ Read This Chapter ]Recommendations
Tourism's contributions to the economy can be magnified considerably if the country can increase the volume of international visitors, which is still extremely low in comparison with top Asian country desginations. [ Read This Chapter ]
News Updates
DOF insists: Investors will come sans tax...
6 June, 2019 at 14:46
FAIT accompli. That seems to be the attitude being taken by officials at the Department of Finance (DOF)—a grudging acceptance of Republic Act 11262, the law extending fiscal incentives to tourism enterprise zone (TEZ) locators for another 10 years.
10-year extension of Tieza tax perks to...
29 May, 2019 at 15:22
Some P222 billion in capital investments in the tourism sector are projected for the next 10 years with the recent enactment of a law extending fiscal incentives to locators in tourism enterprise zones (TEZs).
[VIDEO] Tourism Summit 2019
11 May, 2019 at 20:11
Tourism Summit 2019 — With more than 7,600 islands, the Philippines is blessed with abundant resources that can be transformed into various creative business models that would lead to a more progressive and sustainable island tourism industry.
US agency flags NAIA security deficiencies
8 January, 2019 at 08:00
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a travel advisory for the Philippines, citing insufficient security at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
[OPINION] The future (2)
4 January, 2019 at 16:35
This is the conclusion of my column last week on technological advances we are seeing now, and what we will see in the coming years.
Changi-led consortium wins contract to operate Clark...
4 January, 2019 at 10:53
The government on Thursday awarded the operations and management contract for the Clark International Airport in Pampanga to a consortium that includes the operator of Singapore’s Changi Airport
[OPINION] Completion of projects start
4 December, 2018 at 11:50
Completion of projects start DEMAND AND SUPPLY – Boo Chanco (The Philippine Star) – December 3, 2018 –
[OPINION] Red tape pa rin!
6 November, 2018 at 14:56
Last week, former Comelec commissioner Goyo Larrazabal posted this tweet: “A friend renewing his passport in Malaysia: Around 8:00 a.m. – Arrived at the immigration office and got a queue number.
[OPINION] The Boracay syndrome
29 October, 2018 at 16:00
Boracay — that tiny island at the northern tip of Panay, a destination renowned for its fine white sand beaches, shallow gentle waters, and all-day partying — recently reopened to tourists after being abruptly shut down six months ago…
[OPINION] No casinos in Boracay
29 October, 2018 at 10:07
The final word has come down from President Duterte on the issue of casinos in Boracay and it is a big, fat NO. Pressure had been exerted to allow the existing ones to continue, but the President still said NO.
[EDITORIAL] Awaiting health care for all
22 October, 2018 at 11:42
The Philippines is a step closer to enacting a Universal Health Care (UHC) law that will guarantee all Filipinos equitable access to quality and affordable health goods and services.
3 Philippine islands on Condé Nast Traveler’s...
15 October, 2018 at 11:03
The country’s most popular surfing destination, Siargao Island, has finally received its much-deserved international praise as it topped the Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Islands in Asia list 2018, of influential travel publication Condé Nast Traveler (CNT).
Gov’t to proceed with multi-airport plan
28 August, 2018 at 16:00
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) reiterated its commitment to pursue a so-called multi-airport strategy for Metro Manila and nearby areas in the wake of the recent Xiamen Air incident…
[EDITORIAL] Time to retire Naia
24 August, 2018 at 15:04
Chaos for almost 36 hours: What should have been the country’s main gateway for international and domestic air travel became a seething choke point for over a day and a half after a Xiamen Air jet…
$15-B project to solve airport woes
22 August, 2018 at 14:32
A new international aviation hub with four runways will prevent a repeat of last weekend’s disruption of flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport that affected thousands of travelers nationwide…
P500 tourist fee may replace P1,620 travel...
6 August, 2018 at 10:36
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is eyeing to replace the P1,620 travel tax charged to Filipinos flying to other countries with a P500 fee for all, including foreign tourists.
