TOURISM Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco presented before President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. the recent global accolades earned by the Philippines at the prestigious World Travel Awards (WTA) 2023.

During her visit to Malacañang Palace for the regular Cabinet Meeting, Frasco brought in the trophies for this year’s World Leading Dive Destination and World’s Leading Beach Destination awards, as well as the recognitions earned by the country for the first time, namely: Manila as the World’s Leading City Destination, and the Global Tourism Resilience Award for demonstrating “global leadership, pioneering vision, and innovation to overcome critical challenges and adversity.”

Frasco underscored the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) appreciation of the President’s support especially at the start of his administration, when no less than the President himself tacitly manifested the prioritization of the tourism industry.

“On behalf of the Department of Tourism, and the men and women who have toiled the difficult path of the recovery of the tourism industry, we proudly present these awards to the President as he continues to be our anchor towards the prosperity and successes of our industry. President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s transformative leadership and clear direction for the industry is the very reason why we have surmounted the challenges and emerged stronger and more resilient, ready to take on the mission of becoming a tourism powerhouse in Asia even as tourism continues to be one of the strongest pillars of the Philippine economy,” said Frasco.

“Inspired by the accolades that we have earned from many prestigious award-giving bodies, we assure you that millions of Filipinos can lean on the industry as a source of opportunities for livelihood and employment in the coming years,” the tourism chief added.

She also vowed that more value-added projects that will further the tourism gains from 2023 await the industry next year.

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Cristina Lee-Pisco