Tourism

The Philippines tourism industry is hoping to emerge from a challenging few years that saw the country blacklisted by Hong Kong and the civil aviation authority downgraded by the US and EU. Although the growth in visitors during those years was solid, arrivals figures are barely a quarter of those seen in powerhouses like Thailand. The country has shifted its international tourism promotion to Asia, especially markets like South Korea. Meanwhile, domestic tourism dominates the sector’s revenues, providing some 80% of tourism income. This chapter features interviews with Ramon Jimenez, Secretary, Department of Tourism (DoT), and Cristino L Naguiat Jr, Chairman and CEO, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).