DOT, DTI forge strategic pact to boost tourism and trade sectors

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) have formalized a new partnership aimed at enhancing the synergy between tourism and trade in the Philippines.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco and Trade Secretary Cristina Roque signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on Monday at the DOT Central Office in Makati City, outlining a framework for the convergence of programs to support tourism-related industries and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

Under the agreement, both agencies will collaborate on joint tourism and trade missions, develop sustainable tourism enterprises, and provide capacity-building initiatives for local businesses operating in tourist destinations.

Roque highlighted that the partnership will activate funding support from the Small Business Corporation (SB Corp.), DTI’s financing arm, which currently has around PHP500 million available for lending to tourism-aligned businesses. The loan range starts at PHP10,000 and goes up to PHP1 million, with room to expand the facility based on demand.

“At the DTI, we remain steadfast in ensuring our MSMEs not only participate but thrive in the tourism value chain,” Roque said.

Frasco, for her part, emphasized the interdependence of tourism and trade in driving inclusive growth.

“This partnership acknowledges that the two are inextricably linked. Tourism cannot thrive without trade. Trade cannot reach its full potential without tourism,” she said.

Frasco also noted that tourism shopping is poised for expansion with the upcoming implementation of a value-added tax (VAT) refund program for foreign tourists.

Following a strong performance in 2024—with PHP760 billion in international tourism spending—the DOT chief expressed optimism that this collaboration, backed by recent reforms and initiatives, would help surpass previous tourism revenue records in 2025.