DOT Chief Reaffirms Sustainable Tourism Commitment at 2025 Sustainability Forum

The Department of Tourism (DOT) reiterated its strong push for sustainable and inclusive tourism during the Philippine Sustainability Now Forum 2025 held April 23 at Dusit Thani Manila.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco addressed stakeholders at the event, organized by the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines (ICCPI), which brought together leaders from government, business, and civil society to promote green strategies and long-term solutions.

“The Philippines Sustainability Now Forum is more than just a venue for dialogue; it is a call to action,” Frasco said in her keynote speech. “Sustainability should not be a mere preference. It should be a mandate.”

Frasco shared the DOT’s updated tourism agenda focusing on infrastructure, connectivity, product development, and heritage-driven promotion. Key efforts include investments in airports, roads, and flood control through partnerships with the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

She also reported progress on the rollout of 100 Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) across the country, equipped with solar energy and rainwater systems. Ten have been launched since 2023, with the rest set to benefit travelers nationwide.

Frasco highlighted the Tourism Champions Challenge, which granted over ₱250 million to 15 local government units for sustainable tourism projects. These include the mangrove-focused Panay: A Coastal Resource Experience in Capiz and Legacy of the Sea in Pangasinan.

Other major efforts include the Philippine Experience Program, already active in 12 regions, and the newly launched National Ecotourism Strategy and Action Plan (2024–2028), aimed at boosting climate resilience and conservation.

The DOT also seeks to institutionalize sustainability through upgraded accommodation standards, green infrastructure, and training in partnership with the Asian Institute of Management.

“We must graduate from simply counting arrivals to measuring the true value of tourism,” Frasco said. “It must be about quality… tourism growth must benefit our local stakeholders.”

Notable attendees included Italian Ambassador Davide Giglio, former Tourism Secretary Mina Gabor, and leaders from the SEC, PSE, BDO, and the private sector. (ASC)