Senator calls for infrastructure and energy investments to boost tourism competitiveness

Senator Miguel Zubiri is advocating for increased public-private partnerships to enhance infrastructure and energy facilities in the Philippines to improve the country’s tourism competitiveness. According to Zubiri, strategic investments in infrastructure, particularly in energy generation, transmission, and distribution, are crucial for unlocking the tourism sector’s potential.

Speaking at a hearing on Senate Resolution 1121, which examines the economic impacts of inadequate infrastructure and unreliable public services on tourism, Zubiri emphasized the need for the government to collaborate with the private sector. He highlighted that while the Philippines boasts superior natural attractions compared to its Southeast Asian neighbors, it lags in critical infrastructure such as airports, power supply, public transport, and connectivity.

In 2023, the Philippines attracted 5.4 million foreign visitors, a significant shortfall compared to Thailand’s 28 million, Malaysia’s 20 million, Singapore’s 13.6 million, Vietnam’s 12.6 million, Indonesia’s 11.7 million, and Cambodia’s 5.5 million. Zubiri believes that improving tourism infrastructure could help the Philippines capture a larger share of the regional tourism market and stimulate GDP growth.

Zubiri noted that high energy costs and unreliable power supply are major deterrents to tourism development, especially in off-grid island destinations. He pointed to the successful resolution of power issues in Boracay as a model and suggested that renewable energy could provide a more sustainable solution.

Another challenge cited by Zubiri is the limited number of direct international flights to the Philippines' tourist destinations, which often leads potential visitors to choose more accessible alternatives in the region.

To address these issues, Zubiri is advocating for the establishment of a tourism Cabinet cluster to oversee and coordinate efforts to enhance infrastructure and public services. He stressed that without improvements in energy infrastructure and cost, potential investors and tourists might be discouraged from choosing the Philippines as a destination.

“No investors will come to our tourist destinations if the price of electricity is too high or if the power supply cannot meet their demand,” Zubiri said. “We must ensure that our tourism sector can compete effectively by addressing these critical infrastructure challenges.”