Hotel Industry Action Plan To Position PH As Premier Hospitality Hub Unveiled

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has unveiled the Philippine Hotel Industry Strategic Action Plan (PHISAP) 2023-2028, outlining a blueprint to position the country as a premier hospitality hub.

Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco highlighted PHISAP’s “6Ts” framework—Target, Time, Tourist route, Trust, Technology, and Talent—underscoring the plan’s commitment to growth and innovation. I Photo: Department of Tourism Philippines - Facebook

The PHISAP, developed in collaboration with the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA), embodies a vital public-private partnership aimed at promoting the Philippines as a leader in the sustainable hospitality industry, according to Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco.

She added, “I’m honored by the fact that they (PHOA) have been very aggressive in partnering with the DOT, which has tried to match their passion with equal commitment and devotion to seeing this through.”

Frasco highlighted PHISAP’s “6Ts” framework—Target, Time, Tourist route, Trust, Technology, and Talent—underscoring the plan’s commitment to growth and innovation.

She emphasized the need for high ambitions, noting the projected demand for over 456,000 hotel rooms by 2028. She commended the hotel industry’s aggressive investment efforts that are helping meet this demand.

“By fostering collaboration between the public and private sectors, PHISAP seeks to address the evolving demands of tourism in a way that is both innovative and inclusive,” she said.

The PHOA Board of Directors and members, led by its President Arthur Lopez, expressed great pride and excitement over the completion of the PHISAP.

Lopez said, “This blueprint for the Philippine hotel industry is a product of the sustained, vigorous collaborative efforts of PHOA and the Department of Tourism that involved numerous consultations and discussions.”

PHISAP Technical Working Group Chair Francis Gotianun praised the collaborative spirit between PHOA and the DOT.

Gotianun stated, “This plan not only captures where we stand today, but also provides a forward-thinking strategy that positions our industry for success in the years to come. Working hand in hand with the Department of Tourism, we are building a future that prioritizes innovation, enhances service standards, and drives sustainable growth.”

Secretary Frasco added, “We must build a resilient, adaptable, and forward-thinking tourism ecosystem to meet the demands of today’s travelers while anticipating the needs of the future.”