President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Monday acknowledged that the Philippines remains behind its Southeast Asian neighbors in attracting international visitors, as he led the inauguration of the Mactan Expo convention center in Cebu.
Speaking at The Mactan Newtown in Mactan Island, Marcos noted that the country welcomed only six million tourists last year, far fewer than regional competitors.
“Our tourism industry is now under a great deal of pressure dahil sa mga nangyayari. And last year, we only welcomed 6 million people,” Marcos said.
“Just to give you a frame of reference, Thailand welcomes 30 million tourists every year. Kaya malaki ang hahabulin natin.”
The President emphasized the importance of strengthening tourism infrastructure, particularly facilities for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE), to boost competitiveness.
“Facilities such as this are an encouraging sign. And I am excited to explore more ways to elevate Philippine tourism,” he said.
The newly opened Mactan Expo, developed by Megaworld Corporation, is the first stand-alone convention center in Cebu and is expected to host major events, including gatherings linked to the ASEAN Summit, which the Philippines chairs this year.
Marcos highlighted Cebu’s role in the country’s tourism strategy, citing its global reputation as a travel destination.
“Cebu is well known around the world… not only because Cebu is a beautiful place, but your warmth, your generosity, kindness, continues to show the world the true meaning of Filipino hospitality,” he said.
He added that partnerships between government and the private sector are crucial in accelerating infrastructure projects nationwide.
“Very early on we recognized that there are things that government does well and there are things that the private sector does well. And to partner with the private sector, ito nga ang nagiging resulta,” Marcos said.
The President underscored that expanding tourism facilities across the country remains key to improving visitor experiences and attracting more foreign arrivals.