The Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) expressed concern over the proposal to abolish the national travel tax, saying it could undermine the recovery of the local tourism sector.
In a statement, the association acknowledged the intent to reduce travel costs for Filipinos but warned that the timing could be counterproductive.
“We should not be subsidizing a ‘bon voyage’ at the expense of our own backyard. Before we cut the cord, we need a dialogue that prioritizes Philippine jobs over foreign spending,” PHOA said.
PHOA President Arthur Lopez emphasized that eliminating the travel tax may shift focus toward outbound travel instead of strengthening inbound tourism.
“We should be focusing on inbound and not outbound tourism. We do not want to encourage overseas spending that boosts the economies of our neighbors. Instead, we should support our own hotels, resorts, and other tourism establishments and help our local workers,” Lopez said.
The association maintained that removing the tax at this stage is untimely and could limit the support needed to sustain growth in the accommodation industry.
PHOA further stressed that a comprehensive replacement plan should be in place before any discussions about abolishing the travel tax move forward.