MANILA, Philippines – The Philippines places itself on the global map as a safe and ideal tourist destination in the new normal after successfully hosting the 21st World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit last April 20-22 at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City.

With the country’s first-ever hosting of the most influential annual travel and tourism event, the Philippines has shown that it is capable of holding an event of such prestige, attended not only by international government delegations in the tourism sector, but also by top executives of hotels, airlines, travel agencies, tour operators, transportation, global distribution system, advertising and entertainment companies, destinations, and industry organizations.

The event was spearheaded by the Philippines Department of Tourism (DOT) led by Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat who has expressed optimism for the local tourism industry.

“In the nearly two years where international travel was put on hold, the Philippines has been busy preparing for the day when our country would be open to the world. We have put in place guidelines that will ensure the safety of our guests, our tourism workforce, and our community,” she emphasized during the summit opening press conference.

As early as September 2020, the Philippines was granted the use of the WTTC Safe Travels Stamp, the world’s first safety and hygiene stamp for travelers to recognize governments and businesses that have adopted global health standardized protocols.

As restrictions ease on border entry, tourists will get to enjoy Philippine attractions which fit the new traveler preferences during and post-pandemic: open spaces, outdoor destinations, and nature reserves. With 98% of tourism workers fully-vaccinated, the country is further solidifying its promise to provide tourists a safe and enjoyable stay in the country.

Julia Simpson, CEO and President of WTTC, also presented the result of the organization’s latest Economic Impact Report (EIR) on travel and tourism in the Philippines. Results showed how the local tourism industry is integral to the economy—in fact, it is projected to have an annual growth rate of 6.7% in the next 10 years, more than the overall economy average growth rate of 5.6%. The sector is also forecasted to generate 2.9 million new jobs, accounting for 21.5% of all jobs in the country.

Philippine Ambassador to Denmark Leo M. Herrera-Lim, who was a delegate to the WTTC Summit, remarked that “The Philippine hosting of this tourism summit is a pivotal event towards reviving the tourism and travel sector in the country and sends the unmistakable message of our people’s resiliency and commitment to sustainable tourism.”

Showcasing the country’s cultural richness in arts, music, and food, a gala dinner on the second day of the summit was prepared for all delegates at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Select delegates were also able to enjoy pre- and post-summit tours spearheaded by the Department of Tourism in various Philippine attractions, such as cultural and heritage sites in Manila and the provinces of Bataan and Ilocos; culinary, arts and eco-friendly sites in Quezon Province and Rizal; pristine beaches in Palawan and Boracay; nature and adventure sites in the Davao region; and potential investment sites in Pampanga and Tarlac.