Camille Naredo

Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News

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Boracay Island

Jervis Manahan

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/177365371122620250430-boracay-visitors-tourism-MD-1210.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File" width="960"/>Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA (UPDATED) -- Days after the change of leadership at the Department of Tourism, President Ferdinand &quot;Bongbong&quot; Marcos Jr. admitted Philippine tourism has been struggling.In a speech during the inauguration of the Mactan Expo in Cebu, Marcos said tourist arrivals in the country has been lagging.&quot;Our tourism industry is now under a great deal of pressure dahil sa mga nangyayari. And last year, we only welcomed 6 million people,&quot; Marcos said.&quot;Just to give you a frame of reference, Thailand welcomes 30 million tourists every year. Kaya malaki ang hahabulin natin,&quot; he added.Last week, the Palace announced a change of leadership in the Department of Tourism, with former Secretary Christina Frasco given a new post as adviser on sustainable and resilient communities.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/3/12/palace-plays-coy-on-appointment-of-new-tourism-secretary-1454">READ: Frasco replaced as DOT chief, given new post </a></div>Marcos expressed hopes that tourism will find its footing, with new projects such as the Mactan Expo.&quot;Now, pinapalakas natin ang turismo sa Cebu dito sa pagbukas nitong Mactan Expo. Facilities such as this are an encouraging sign,&quot; Marcos said.&quot;I am excited to explore more ways to elevate Philippine tourism. Of course, Cebu will always play a very, very large part in all our plans for tourism,&quot; he added.The Mactan Expo is a world class facility that can hold big events and conventions.&quot;This is a big boost to our tourism industry. We have to develop our tourism industry. We have such competition around our region,&quot; Marcos said.<div><a class="fr-green" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/1/21/philippines-logs-6-48-million-tourists-in-2025-dot-targets-more-for-2026-1409">READ: Philippines logs 6.48 million tourists in 2025; DOT targets more for 2026 </a></div>Marcos said tourism infrastructure must be strengthened to attract more arrivals.&quot;Our infrastructure must continue to improve so that every visitor&#x27;s experience becomes smoother, more memorable,&quot; he said.&quot;That&#x27;s why we need to build more facilities such as this and strengthen our infrastructure so that we support tourism even more strongly,&quot; the President added.&quot;Mactan Expo is one of the projects that will further enhance our tourism sector,&quot; he said.<div> </div><div>VISIT TO CEBU</div>Prior to inaugurating the Mactan Expo, Marcos Jr also visited Bogo City to inspect the Learning Continuity Space and Yakap at Kalinga Program at the Marcelo B. Fernan Polambato Elementary School.The space featured learning rooms that were built after the strong quake last year.He also led the oathtaking ceremony of newly promoted teachers of Cebu Province, and inspected the Bagong Pilipinas egovph Serbisyo Hub in Mandaue City.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. admitted Monday Philippine tourism has been struggling, days after the change of leadership at the Department of Tourism.

President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. admitted Monday Philippine tourism has been struggling, days after the change of leadership at the Department of Tourism.

PH tourism is struggling, Marcos admits

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PH tourism is struggling, Marcos admits

Jervis Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published March 16, 2026 05:36 PM PHT

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Updated March 16, 2026 06:12 PM PHT

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tourism

Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

Bongbong Marcos

Mactan Expo

Department of Tourism

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