President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the need for the Philippines to enhance its tourism infrastructure by building more Tourism Rest Areas (TRA) to remain competitive with other Asian countries. During the inauguration of Luzon’s first Tourist Rest Area in Ilocos Norte, Marcos stated that the country faces tough competition in the tourism sector from neighboring nations like Thailand, Korea, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
The TRA in Ilocos Norte aims to provide tourists with various amenities and services, including an information center, clean restrooms, charging stations, and a resting lounge. It also features a pasalubong center showcasing locally-made products unique to the region. Marcos highlighted the importance of not only offering beautiful beaches and hotels but also ensuring easy access to and from tourist destinations by improving regional airports to alleviate congestion at the Manila airport.
Despite efforts to boost tourism, the Philippines has struggled to keep up with its regional counterparts due to inadequate infrastructure and a reliance on Chinese tourists, which were slow to return after the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts have attributed the country’s lagging tourism performance to these challenges, as mentioned in a January 2024 BusinessWorld report. Secretary Christina Frasco acknowledged during the 2022 Department of Tourism budget deliberations that inadequate infrastructure remains a significant hurdle in enhancing the country’s tourism sector.
