MANILA: According to the President of the World Travel and Tourism Council, the Philippine tourism industry will recover quicker than other countries.
The Philippines’s tourism industry contributed $92.6 million to the country’s GDP in 2019, just before the outbreak of coronavirus. This is 22.5 percent more than the country’s gross domestic products. This share dropped to 4.8%, or $17.8 million in 2020 after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Julia Simpson, WTTC chair said that the industry was making a steady recovery in the country.
According to the latest data from the commission, the industry’s growth rate in the Philippines is above the world average of 5.8 percent.
Simpson spoke at a three-day conference attended by more than 1,000 tourism stakeholders. He stated that he forecast an average annual growth rate (6.7%) over the next ten years.
She also said that the country’s expected overall growth rate of 5.6 per cent was exceeded by this growth rate.
WTTC data shows steady improvement in employment in the Philippine Tourism Industry.
Simpson stated, “We also expect that employment will increase at an average annual rate 3 percent over the next ten years, creating 2.9million new jobs, or 21.5 per cent of all jobs here in the Philippines.”
The Philippines’ economy is dependent on tourism because of its beautiful white beaches, popular diving spots and lively entertainment venues. Many of the country’s tourist spots were forced to close after COVID-19 was introduced in 2020.
Bernadette Romulo Puyat (Philippino Tourism Secretary) told summit participants that international travel had been on hold for nearly two decades, but the Philippines is now focusing on reopening.
She said, “We have used the quiet period to reimagine and realign our goals for rebuilding a more resilient and inclusive industry.”
“Two-years later, the Philippines has opened its doors to welcome tourists back at our destination. This summit marks the beginning a new era for us.
On February 10, the Philippines was able to allow fully vaccinated, non-COVID-19-negative tourists into its country. This occurred almost two years after it closed its borders. Since April 1, tourists have been allowed to enter the country from all countries.
