DOT, UP Explore Data Science Program for Smarter Tourism Policies

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has partnered with the University of the Philippines (UP) to pursue a pioneering data science initiative aimed at positioning the Philippines as a smart tourism destination.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco met with UP officials on Monday, August 18, to discuss the development of a Tourism Data Science Program. The initiative seeks to institutionalize advanced models and frameworks that will guide planning, development, and management of tourism at both the national and local levels.

Frasco emphasized the importance of harnessing technology, research, and data-driven insights to strengthen tourism’s contribution to the economy and local communities. “By leveraging statistics and digital reporting, we can accelerate growth and craft policies that are both responsive and forward-looking,” she said, noting that the collaboration aligns with the Marcos administration’s push for digital transformation.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Giovanni Tapang of the UP College of Science, Assistant Professor Giovanni Francis Tapang and Dr. Maricel Criselda Badilla of the UP Asian Institute of Tourism (AIT), and members of the UP Data Science Project Team. From the DOT, Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano, Assistant Secretary Sharlene Zabala-Batin, and Director Glenn Albert Ocampo were also present.

If successful, the collaboration is expected to strengthen the country’s competitiveness as a global destination by enabling more informed decision-making and fostering a more sustainable, tech-driven tourism sector.