By Liza Soriano
MANILA — Senator Migz Zubiri believes that private sector investments can significantly enhance the country’s tourism by improving infrastructure and public services. This will help the Philippines attract a larger share of foreign tourists who are currently flocking to neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
“We have better beaches and scenic spots compared to our Southeast Asian neighbors,” said the chair of the Senate Committee on Economic Affairs. “But they surpass us in airports, power supply, public transport, and connectivity. That’s why we’re still lagging despite having better natural attractions.”
In 2023, Thailand led Southeast Asia in tourism with 28 million foreign arrivals, followed by Malaysia with 20 million, Singapore with 13.6 million, Vietnam with 12.6 million, Indonesia with 11.7 million, and Cambodia with 5.5 million. The Philippines welcomed just 5.4 million foreign visitors.
“Tourism is a key opportunity to boost our GDP growth if we can get things right,” Zubiri emphasized. “The market and natural resources are available; we just need to invest in our tourism infrastructure.”
He highlighted the need for government and private sector collaboration to build essential infrastructure in key and emerging tourism areas, especially in developing energy generation, transmission, and distribution facilities.
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