The Philippines has been recognized as the largest tourism economy in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to the latest Economic Impact Report of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco announced.

According to a report by RH Boy Gonzales, Frasco made the statement during the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum on Wednesday, February 4, citing the WTTC report as an independent and credible assessment by a global authority on tourism.

“No less than the foremost global authority on tourism has spoken... the Philippines is now the biggest tourism economy in the ASEAN,” Frasco said.

According to the report, the tourism sector in the Philippines recorded the highest contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and local employment in the region.

Frasco added that data showed that employment generated by tourism accounts for approximately 23 percent of total national employment, translating to nearly one in every four Filipino jobs being linked to the sector.

Frasco emphasized that the findings were not generated for publicity purposes but were based on objective analysis by an international organization.

“These are not facts and figures that we have made up for our own self serving purpose or for PR but rather independent and credible observations by a global authority in tourism,” she added.

Despite the positive performance of the industry, the tourism chief noted that challenges remain and that outcomes for the current year are still uncertain due to possible shifts and disruptions affecting the sector.

Frasco also shared that in 2025, the Philippines welcomed around 6.4 million foreign tourists—still below the pre-pandemic level of 8 million arrivals.

Meanwhile, addressing the issue of tarpaulins bearing her image that circulated in some areas, Frasco clarified that she has ordered the immediate cessation of installing any promotional materials featuring her photo.

She also directed all DOT regional offices and local government units to remove existing tarpaulins.