Marcos lauds Filipino hospitality amid tourism ‘resurgence’

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. commended the hospitality industry on Saturday for its achievements in tourism.

According to Marcos, these industries have provided significant employment opportunities for Filipinos.

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“We have slowly started to witness how hotels, restaurants, recreational amenities, and tourist spots have slowly but surely risen to the challenge of travel resurgence, welcoming 5.45 million inbound tourists in 2023. This is more than double the 2.65 million visitors recorded in 2022,” Marcos said.

“Gaming ventures provided employment for about 100,000 Filipinos in 2019, supporting various roles in casino operations,” he added.

The Chief Executive made this statement at the opening of a resort hotel in Quezon City.

Marcos added that the resort hotel is expected to hire more than 4,000 employees.

He likewise said that the Filipinos’ hospitality is what invites tourists to come visit the country.

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“This culture of love—which we extend to each visitor who comes ashore and which we bring everywhere that we go—is what makes us unique as a nation,” Marcos said.

“So, let us show them that we are ready to embrace the opportunities that they offer us, and I am confident the world is also ready to embrace us back,” he added.