The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the latest report from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), which shows that the Philippine tourism sector would contribute a record-breaking P5.9 trillion to the economy in 2025.
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said the findings dovetail with the government’s tourism strategy on strong public-private collaboration, innovation and the hard work of millions in the sector nationwide.
“We are grateful that the strategic shift to elevate the status of Philippine tourism by leveraging our culture, diversifying our tourism products, introducing innovations, and focusing on quality and sustainability is bearing fruit, with tourism spending and employment now at record highs,” Frasco said.
According to the WTTC’s 2025 Economic Impact Research (EIR), the projected P5.9 trillion contribution is about 13.5 percent increase from pre-pandemic levels in 2019 and is expected to account for over one-fifth, or 21 percent, of the national gross domestic product (GDP).
The WTTC projects that by 2035, the country’s travel and tourism sector could inject as much as P9.2 trillion into the economy and generate around 2.5 million new jobs.
In 2025 alone, the industry is expected to support 11.7 million jobs, or nearly a quarter at 23.8 percent of all national employment.
According to the report, international visitor spending is projected to reach P709.2 billion in 2025, a 2.1 percent increase over the previous high in 2019.
Meanwhile, domestic tourism is forecasted to rise to P4.1 trillion, or 9.3 percent higher than 2019 levels.
This builds on the momentum of 2023, when the Philippines recorded an all-time high of P760 billion in international visitor receipts, surpassing the pre-pandemic level of P600 billion.
The DOT said that in nearly three years, it has launched a suite of flagship initiatives aimed at strengthening and diversifying the country’s tourism portfolio.
These include the promotion of gastronomy, Halal and Muslim-friendly tourism, heritage and culture, diving, sports, golf, health and wellness and film tourism.
