President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. pledged to enhance the country's education sector and promote sustainable development, initiatives aimed at strengthening the Philippines' tourism industry.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the 36th Joint Meeting of the United Nations (UN) Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, and the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia in Cebu, President Marcos emphasized that education and sustainability are crucial for the growth of tourism, a key contributor to the local economy.
“Indeed, education is always going to make any industry better, and certainly tourism is no different. We need to raise the standards and practices in this crucial sector by investing in education, training, and skills upgrading of all the personnel who are working in this industry”, President Marcos stated.
He underscored the necessity of environmental protection alongside tourism promotion, noting, “For what good will any tourism effort be if it ends up destroying the local culture and ecology. So, this brings us to another important topic that we also need to address when it comes to developing our respective tourism industries, which is sustainability”.
President Marcos called for adopting sustainable practices across society and the economy, especially in tourism. “We need to adopt sustainability in our society and economy, and certainly in the sector of tourism. We must go green in the transformation of our tourism products and services as a solution to address climate change, resource preservation, and long-term industry sustainability”, he added.
The President highlighted ongoing efforts to enhance public-private partnerships to make the Philippines an attractive destination for tourists, encouraging them to 'visit, stay, spend, and return'. Measures include easing visa access, improving water sanitation and healthcare facilities in major tourist destinations, and upgrading connectivity hubs such as airports.
“By adopting these practices, we create a tourism industry that not only creates responsible visitors but also uplifts the lives of those who are part of that activity”, he said.
President Marcos’s commitment to quality education and sustainability is poised to bolster the Philippine tourism industry, ensuring it remains a robust pillar of the local economy while preserving cultural and ecological integrity.
