Manila, July 20 -- The Marcos administration recognized tourism as a vital pillar of the nation's development, with the sector contributing 8.9 percent to the national economy and providing 6.75 million direct jobs to Filipinos.

In 2024, the country's Tourism Direct Gross Value Added (TDGVA), an indicator that measures the value added of the tourism industry, rose to PHP2.35 trillion, or 11.2 percent higher than the PHP2.12 trillion recorded in 2023.

Days before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s third State of the Nation Address (SONA), Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco underscored a "holistic approach" to tourism development.

"We are guided by a holistic approach to tourism development. One that balances economic opportunity, cultu...