DOT chief thanks FilCom Japan for $500M tourism revenue surge

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco has expressed her appreciation to the Filipino community in Japan and tourism stakeholders for their role in boosting inbound travel to the Philippines and supporting national economic growth.

Speaking at a special Meet and Greet event in Osaka on June 21, which was also attended by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and First Lady Liza Marcos, Frasco highlighted the positive impact of overseas Filipinos on the tourism sector.

She noted that over 400,000 Japanese tourists visited the Philippines recently, contributing more than $500 million in tourism revenue. "Maraming, maraming salamat po sa inyo, ating mga tourism ambassadors,” Frasco told hundreds of Filipinos in attendance.

Frasco also outlined ongoing efforts by the DOT to improve the overall tourism experience in the Philippines, including infrastructure development, airport upgrades, road and seaport improvements, and the construction of over 100 Tourist Rest Areas nationwide.

“These projects are not only meant to elevate our tourism offering, but to create jobs and livelihood opportunities. Tourism now supports over 16 million Filipinos,” she said.

The tourism chief also invited attendees to visit the Philippine Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which she described as a welcoming space for Filipinos abroad and international guests alike.