The Philippines has outperformed its Southeast Asian neighbors in the economic and employment impact of tourism, according to the Department of Tourism.
On January 31, 2026, the Department of Tourism (DOT) highlighted the Philippines' leadership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding tourism's contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and job creation. Drawing from the 2025 World Travel and Tourism Council Economic Impact Report, the sector generated a GDP of $91.8 billion, representing 19.9 percent of the national economy—the highest in the region.
This surpassed Indonesia's $71.7 billion, Thailand's $67.3 billion, and Singapore's $54.6 billion. For employment, tourism supported 11.22 million jobs, or 23 percent of the country's total workforce, securing second place in ASEAN.
"These figures clearly show that the Philippines ranks among ASEAN’s leading tourism economies… Tourism remains a powerful driver of inclusive growth, job creation and economic resilience for our country," Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco stated.
During a Wednesday media briefing, DOT Undersecretary Verna Buensuceso noted that over 6.4 million foreign visitors arrived in 2025, contributing an estimated P694 billion in spending. "It also confirms that our strategies are working and we’re steadily positioning the country as a tourism powerhouse in Asia," she added.
As ASEAN chair this year, the Philippines hosted the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cebu City, launching the ASEAN Tourism Sector Plan 2026-2030. In a speech read by Frasco, President Marcos emphasized the plan's goals to "enrich visitor experience, empower enterprises... and ensure that ASEAN remains competitive in the global market."
Frasco further explained that the initiative would promote the region as a unified tourism destination, enhance accessibility by air and sea, and prevent over-tourism to safeguard natural assets.