Today, we continue giving you more details on the various accomplishments of the Arroyo Administration
as the President mentioned in her recent and last State of the Nation Address (SoNA). This time we present to you some major gains in our much revitalized tourism induToday, we continue giving you more details on the various accomplishments of the Arroyo Administration
as the President mentioned in her recent and last State of the Nation Addressstry which proved to be a pivotal sector in keeping the Philippine economy afloat in the midst of global economic crisis.

Since 2001, tourist arrivals in the Philippines consistently increased from 1.8 million in 2001 to 3.14 million in 2008, to 1.3 million in the first quarter of 2009. This generated 3.8 million jobs in 2008, almost double the estimated 2.19 million jobs created in 2001.

The continued growth pushed tourism receipts from US$1.72 billion in 2001 to US$4.88 billion in 2007, already exceeding the US$4.86 billion income projected for 2010.

The tourism boom may be attributed to the various aggressive tourism strategies initiated by the government to place the Philippines among the premiere tourist destinations in the regional and global maps.

For instance, WOW Philippines was launched in 2003, packaging the country as a nation with a wealth of wonders. This was complemented in 2005 with the launching of "Biyahe Na" to encourage local tourism.

The Intramuros History Town Philippines was another very successful project that enticed locals to patronize our very own attractions, and which created more livelihood and more jobs. The project, which showcased the "Best of the Regions," made Intramuros not only as a historical site but also a center of culture.

The government pushed for the development into tourism sites of eight destinations, namely: (1) Major destinations which consist of Cebu/Bohol,Camiguin, Palawan, Tagaytay, Davao and Manila; (2 Minor destinations which include Vigan/Laoag and Clark/Subic; (3) Special interest destinations which consist of Baguio/Banaue and Boracay.

Also given special attention was the development of new tourism products such as medical, health and wellness tourism, aimed at attracting tourists to try our healthcare and wellness services.

The Philippines participated in numerous tourism fairs and exhibits to attract new tourism markets, such as those held in London, USA, Japan and China. During the recent World Travel Fair in China, the Philippines was chosen as the most ideal destination in Asia.

The Arroyo administration from 2001 to 2008 endorsed for incentives 185 tourism projects worth R157 billion, which include new hotels and tourist facilities, tourism enterprise zones, transportation, as well as modernization of existing accommodations.

Beginning in 2004, the administration liberalized the airline industry by developing and upgrading old and new airports to increase Philippine tourist arrivals. This resulted in the development of new airports in Silay, Negros Occident Occidental, Sta. Barbara and Cabatuan in Iloilo, and Panglao, Bohol, and the upgrading of the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Pampanga and Busuanga Airport in Palawan, among others.