Marcos: PH infra must improve to boost tourism

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Monday said the Philippines must continue improving its infrastructure to strengthen the country’s tourism industry.

Marcos made the remark during the unveiling of a marker to formally inaugurate the Mactan Expo, located within The Mactan Newtown in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu.

“Our tourism industry is now under a great deal of pressure dahil sa mga nangyayari. And last year, we only welcomed six million people. Just to give you a frame of reference, Thailand welcomes 30 million tourists every year.

"Kaya malaki ang hahabulin natin (We have a lot to catch up on),” Marcos said in his speech.

Facilities such as the Mactan Newtown are an "encouraging sign," the President said. 

"And I am excited to explore more ways to elevate Philippine tourism. Of course, Cebu will always play a very, very large part in all our plans for tourism,” he said.

Marcos said travelers are drawn to destinations that are easy to reach and equipped with modern facilities such as the Mactan Expo.

“And of course, the beauty that all of the Philippines is able to offer. But alongside that, our infrastructure must continue to improve so that every visitor’s experience becomes smoother and more memorable,” he said.

He added that the government needs to build more facilities like the Mactan Expo and strengthen infrastructure to further support the tourism sector.

The facility will host major events, including the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, which the Philippines will chair this year.

The Mactan Expo is designed to showcase Cebuano culture and identity while strengthening the country’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) infrastructure.

Marcos also recalled visiting other areas in Indonesia when it hosted the ASEAN Summit in 2023, noting that the opening of the 42nd ASEAN Summit was held in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara.

“I took a page out of President Widodo’s book. Everybody already knows Manila, and the PICC is very good, no problem. But let’s bring them to another place para makita naman nila,” Marcos said.

(So they can see another part of the country.)

“We thought about where else we could bring them—Cebu, Davao, CDO—but some places still lack accommodation facilities. The only place that we could do it was here, in Lapu-Lapu City,” he added.

Marcos said the facility would provide a major boost to the country’s tourism industry.

“We have to develop our tourism industry. We have such competition around our region. But we have a single advantage—and that is what we have come to call in the tourism industry here in the Philippines: the Filipino smile,” he said.—MCG, GMA Integrated News