the tourism act of 2009 is also known as

TOURISM ACT OF 2009

OCTOBER 27, 2022

• INQUIRER.NET
• F&B REPORT

DOT: Growth of the tourism decade is the triumph of the Filipino people

• BY INQUIRER.net BrandRoom
• May 18, 2019

In 2017, the Philippine Statistics Authority reported that the sector contributed 12.2% to the country’s GDP, equivalent to PHP 1.929 trillion. This is a huge leap compared to PHP 466 billion in 2009 (or 5.8% of the GDP).  Tourist arrivals have grown as well. In 2018, the Philippines welcomed 7.1 million international visitors compared to 2009 when there were only 3 million foreign arrivals.

Another indicator of the rise of the Philippine tourism industry is the number of jobs it has created in the last decade. By 2017, 13.1% of total employment—5.3 million jobs—were directly attributed to the tourism sector, compared to only 3.9 million in 2009, before the full implementation of the law.

“We celebrate the Tourism Act of 2009 to look back at how the tourism sector was able to transform lives and communities for the past decade. However, it is also a driving force, our motivation to work harder knowing that tourism has the power to propel the nation and its people toward growth and prosperity,” DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat concluded.

TOURISM ROADMAP 2022

Senator Richard Gordon and former Bohol representative Edgardo M. Chatto were the principal authors of the law.  Under R.A. 9593, DOT was reorganized and given considerable sources of funding to achieve its designated mandate and functions. As provided by R.A. 9593, the Philippine National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) is DOT’s strategic framework that guides the development of the industry.

The NTDP 2016-2022 aims to realize 12 million tourist arrivals and generate PHP 3.9 trillion tourism revenue, contributing a Gross Value Added (GVA) of PHP 2.4 trillion to the country’s GDP and employing 6.5 million Filipinos by 2022. DOT prioritizes the programs that are concerned with: (1) developing adequate infrastructure, (2) facilitating travel, (3) providing safety and security, and (4) developing tourism areas.

To ensure that DOT gets these done, the Department is implementing a convergence approach where it works in partnership with other national government agencies such as the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). There are 12 international gateways that service the 49 Tourism Development Areas in the Philippines, with 8 having already undergone rehabilitation and improvement.

In 2018, the convergence of the government agencies facilitated the construction and opening of new airports such as the Mactan-Cebu International Airport that can now accommodate 12.5 million passengers per year. The Bohol-Panglao International Airport was also inaugurated last year with an annual capacity of 3 million passengers.

The government is currently building new airports, including a new terminal at Clark International Airport that is due to open in 2020. In the pipeline are the Bicol International Airport in Legazpi, and expansion plans for Manila, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, and Laguindingan airports.

DOT ATTACHED AGENCIES

Two organizations were reorganized under R.A. 9593. The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) became the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Philippine Conventions and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) was replaced with the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).  

TIEZA is the implementing agency and infrastructure arm of the DOT. It prioritizes the construction of tourism infrastructure projects of national interest and significance. From 2010 to 2019, TIEZA completed a total of 300 projects (including the Boracay Water Drainage Program, Phase II), 15 of which are ecotourism projects in provinces that need development the most.

R.A. 9593 also provided for the establishment of Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ), parcels of land developed into master-planned, integrated tourism complexes, and designated as such as by the TIEZA Board. Vital components of TEZs are infrastructure utilities, tourism-sector enterprises such as accommodation, MICE, theme park and other leisure facilities.

TPB, on the other hand, is DOT’s marketing arm. TPB’s milestones for the last decade include successfully marketing and promoting to strategic key markets that contributed 85% to 90% of the total international visitor arrivals to the Philippines in partnership with private and public stakeholders. It has hosted a total of 4,374 international travel trade and media practitioners to participate in invitational programs or familiarization trips from 2015 to 2018 and 1,279 foreign buyers from 2011 to 2018 during the Philippine Travel Exchange.

The Intramuros Administration (IA) is DOT’s arm responsible for the restoration and development of the historic walled city of Intramuros. IA is positioning itself to be known as the country’s creative urban heritage district. The Maestranza Wall will be transformed into the Philippines’ first creative hub focused on design excellence.

Other attached agencies of DOT include the Duty Free Philippines Corporation, National Parks Development Committee, Philippine Retirement Authority, Nayong Pilipino and the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving.

PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR

The private sector continues to play a large part in developing the Philippine Tourism Industry. As part of R.A. 9593, the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) was established to give the private sector a role in the crafting of tourism policy in partnership with DOT and its attached agencies.

“Whereas prior to R.A. 9593, the private sector was somewhat of a passive partner, the creation of the TCP gave increased importance and responsibility to the stakeholders as far as how the tourism industry should proceed,” said current TCP President Jose Clemente III.

A CELEBRATION OF THE TOURISM DECADE

Marking the 10 th anniversary, DOT will launch a year-long campaign titled “The Tourism Decade: Celebrating the Rise of the Philippine Travel Industry with the Tourism Act of 2009.” It narrates how R.A. 9593 has significantly improved the lives of thousands of individuals and communities. Through the stories of the people from the tourism sector, those who dedicated their lives to making a meaningful and memorable experience for visitors, the public is able to affirm the transformative power of the tourism industry.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy .

MOST VIEWED STORIES

• LIFESTYLE.INQ Latest , LIFESTYLE.INQ Travel

5 places to add to your Singapore Sentosa Island tour

• BY Carl Martin Agustin
• April 30, 2024

• LIFESTYLE.INQ Covers , LIFESTYLE.INQ Food , LIFESTYLE.INQ Latest

Askal: Melbourne’s love letter to Filipino cuisine

• BY Sophia Berbano Concordia
• April 28, 2024

• LIFESTYLE.INQ Art , LIFESTYLE.INQ Latest , Uncategorized

Pacita Abad’s art inspires wonder at the Venice Biennale & MoMA PS1 

• BY Lala Singian
• April 26, 2024

• LIFESTYLE.INQ Art , LIFESTYLE.INQ Latest

The Metropolitan Museum of Manila releases official statement on Banksy exhibit

• BY The Lifestyle.INQ Staff

TOP STORIES

MORE FROM LIFESTYLE.INQ

FROM THE NICHE TITLES

CURRENT. DYNAMIC. INSIDER.

The latest in global fashion, beauty, and culture through a contemporary Filipino perspective.

CONNECT WITH US

• instagram.com/lifestyle.inq
• facebook.com/lifestyle.inq
• youtube.com/lifestyle.inq
• [email protected]

Stay in touch and get the latest stories from the LIFESTYLE.INQ newsletter

• ENTERTAINMENT
• HUMAN INTEREST

COPYRIGHT © LIFESTYLE INQUIRER 2022

+63 (2) 834 2435

[email protected].

• Legislative
• Republic Acts
• Republic Act No. 11262

An Act Amending Sections 85 and 103 of Republic Act No. 9593, Otherwise Known as “The Tourism Act of 2009” Republic Act No. 11262 Congress of the Philippines 10 April 2019

S. No. 1616

H. No. 8861

Republic of the Philippines Congress of the Philippines Metro Manila

Seventeenth Congress Third Regular Session

Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand eighteen.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress assembled:

Section 1. Section 85 of Republic Act No. 9593, otherwise known as “The Tourism Act of 2009”, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“ Sec. 85. General Principles on the Grant and Administration of Incentives.—

“(a) Recognizing the strategic economic importance of tourism, the necessity that investments within TEZs be properly coordinated with environmental, cultural and developmental imperatives, and the fundamental differences between the export manufacturing and tourism industries, the TIEZA shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction to grant the incentives hereinafter provided.

“In the formulation of rules and regulations defining and implementing these incentives, and without derogating therefrom, the TIEZA may coordinate with the Board of Investments and other government agencies or entities responsible for the grant and administration of incentives to assist in the development of a rationalized national investment incentive policy.

“In the grant of incentives, it shall give equal preference to large investments, those with great potential for employment generation and those of local small and medium enterprises. Registered tourism enterprises owned and operated by overseas Filipino investors shall enjoy the same incentives granted to TEZ operators and registered enterprises in general. The amount of required investments shall be defined in the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9593. The incentive schemes set forth in Sections 86, 87 and 88 of Republic Act No. 9593 shall be in effect until December 31, 2029, subject to review by the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.

“The TIEZA shall further coordinate with the Bureau of Customs and the Bureau of Internal Revenue in the preparation and enforcement of rules and regulations to prevent the abuse of these incentives.

“The jurisdiction of the TIEZA in the grant and administration of incentives shall not be impliedly repealed or modified.”

“(b) The Department and the DTI shall promulgate rules and regulations to govern the relationship between TEZs created under this Act, and economic zones created under Republic Act No. 7227, otherwise known as the “Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992”, and Republic Act No. 7916, as amended, otherwise known as the “Special Economic Zone Act of 1995”, where an area comprising a TEZ overlaps, falls within or encompasses that of an economic zone: Provided , That such rules and regulations shall consider the special nature and requirements of tourism in relation to other industries, establishments and operations in economic zones. TEZs proclaimed as such prior to the passage of this Act shall be transferred to the supervision of the TIEZA.

“(c) The investment incentives offered under this Act shall be without prejudice to availing other incentives provided under other laws, decrees, and presidential issuances. However, where such other laws, decrees or presidential issuances provide for similar or identical incentive schemes, the investor may only elect to avail of the scheme provided under one particular law, decree or presidential issuance.

“(d) LGUs are likewise encouraged to provide incentives for tourism enterprises through, among others, reductions in applicable real estate taxes and waivers of fees and charges, among others. Should a LGU grant such incentives, it shall report the same to the Department and the TPB to assist in the marketing and promotions of investment in that LGU.”

Section 2. Section 103 of Republic Act No. 9593 is likewise amended to read as follows:

“ Sec. 103. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee.— A Joint Congressional Oversight Committee, hereinafter referred to as the “Oversight Committee”, is hereby constituted in accordance with the provisions of this Act. The Oversight Committee shall be composed of the Chairpersons of the Committee on Tourism of both Houses of Congress, the Chairpersons of the Committees on Ways and Means of both Houses of Congress, the Chairperson of the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives, the Chairperson of the Committee on Finance of the Senate, and three (3) additional members from each House to be designated by the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“The Secretary shall report to the Oversight Committee on a monthly basis the latest statistics on tourist arrivals and other relevant data. He or she shall also report, on a quarterly basis, the status of implementation of this Act based on the monthly report submitted thereto by all attached agencies of the Department with respect to the implementation of their respective programs.”

Section 3. Repealing Clause.— All laws, decrees, orders, rules and regulations or other issuances or parts thereof inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 4. Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved: April 10, 2019 .

Republic Act No. 11261

First Time Jobseekers Assistance Act

Republic Act No. 11263

An Act Establishing a Senior High School in Barangay Tandang Sora, Quezon City, Metro Manila to Be Known as Tandang Sora Senior High School, and Appropriating Funds Therefor

Section 46. Mandate. — The TPB shall be responsible for marketing and promoting the Philippines domestically and internationally as a major global tourism destination, highlighting the uniqueness and assisting the development of its tourism products and services, with the end in view of increasing tourist arrivals and tourism investment. Specifically, it shall market the Philippines as a major convention destination in Asia. To this end, it shall take charge of attracting, promoting, facilitating and servicing large-scale events, international fairs and conventions, congresses, sports competitions, expositions and the like. It shall likewise ensure the regular advertisement abroad of the country's major tourism destinations and other tourism products, not limited to TEZs. It may also provide incentives to travel agencies abroad which are able to draw tourists and tourism investments to the country.

• Manage Account

Blackburn and Hickenlooper Introduce Senate Bill to Boost U.S. Music Tourism, Calling Venues ‘Keepers of Our Culture’

The American Music Tourism Act of 2024 would see a coordinated national effort to increase both domestic and international travel to music events or venues.

By Taylor Mims

Taylor Mims

• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Pinit
• + additional share options added
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Email
• Print this article
• Share this article on Comment
• Share this article on Tumblr

U.S. Senators  Marsha Blackburn  (R-Tenn.) and  John Hickenlooper  (D-Colo.) have introduced a bill to help support music tourism throughout the country. Dubbed the American Music Tourism Act of 2024, the newly introduced legislation would be an amendment to the Visit America Act that passed in 2022 and required the assistant secretary of commerce for travel and tourism to lead a coordinated national effort to rejuvenate international tourism following declines from the pandemic.  

Trending on Billboard

Sweeping ticketing reform bill that would ban deceptive sales tactics & more introduced….

The act classifies music tourism as the act of traveling to a state or locality to visit historic or modern-day music related attractions including museums, studios, venues of all sizes and other sites related to music. The definition also includes traveling somewhere in the U.S. to attend a music festival, concert or other live music performance. If passed, the act would strengthen the economic benefits of music festivals like Tennessee’s Bonarroo or California’s Stagecoach, as well as music venues from Madison Square Garden in New York City to Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.

The bipartisan legislation is endorsed by the Recording Academy, the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International, the Recording Industry Association of America, Live Nation Entertainment, the National Independent Venues Association, Tennessee Department of Tourism Development, Tennessee Entertainment Commission, Memphis Tourism, Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism and the Overton Park Shell in Memphis.

“The Recording Academy is pleased to support the American Music Tourism Act and applauds Senators Blackburn and Hickenlooper for their continued dedication to lifting up the music community,” said Recording Academy chief advocacy and public policy officer Todd Dupler in a statement. “Music has long played an important role in our economy and culture. This bill will amplify the music community’s contributions to economic growth and increase understanding of music’s impact on the U.S. and the world.”

Live Nation’s president of Nashville music and business strategy Sally Williams also voiced her approval of the act, stating, “In Nashville, Memphis, and countless other communities across the country, a vibrant live music scene is an economic magnet that draws fans from around the globe. The American Music Tourism Act is an important piece of legislation that will help ensure live music remains a pillar of American culture and tourism, and we’d like to thank the Senator for her leadership on this issue.”

“From rural communities to city centers, independent stages attract investment and visitors for the artists and professionals that put on shows and the restaurants, retail, and attractions around them,” said National Independent Venue Association executive director Stephen Parker in an endorsement. “The American Music Tourism Act finally recognizes music tourism as a catalyst for economic development and ensures its growth is a national priority. We applaud Senators Marsha Blackburn and John Hickenlooper for aligning the nation’s tourism strategy with the venues and festivals across our country that the world travels to experience.”

Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox

Want to know what everyone in the music business is talking about?

Get in the know on.

Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

Charts expand charts menu.

• Billboard Hot 100™
• Billboard 200™
• Hits Of The World™
• TikTok Billboard Top 50
• Song Breaker
• Year-End Charts
• Decade-End Charts

Music Expand music menu

• R&B/Hip-Hop

Culture Expand culture menu

Media expand media menu, business expand business menu.

• Business News
• Record Labels
• View All Pro

Pro Tools Expand pro-tools menu

• Songwriters & Producers
• Artist Index
• Royalty Calculator
• Market Watch
• Industry Events Calendar

Billboard Español Expand billboard-espanol menu

• Cultura y Entretenimiento

Honda Music Expand honda-music menu

The Federal Register

The daily journal of the united states government, request access.

Due to aggressive automated scraping of FederalRegister.gov and eCFR.gov, programmatic access to these sites is limited to access to our extensive developer APIs.

If you are human user receiving this message, we can add your IP address to a set of IPs that can access FederalRegister.gov & eCFR.gov; complete the CAPTCHA (bot test) below and click "Request Access". This process will be necessary for each IP address you wish to access the site from, requests are valid for approximately one quarter (three months) after which the process may need to be repeated.

An official website of the United States government.

If you want to request a wider IP range, first request access for your current IP, and then use the "Site Feedback" button found in the lower left-hand side to make the request.