Department of Tourism

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is the Philippine government agency responsible for developing and promoting the country as a global tourism and travel hub. Currently, the DOT is working to boost domestic travel, though recent news highlights a significant disconnect between the cost of domestic flights and international travel, with a Manila to Batanes flight priced at 27,000 pesos, making overseas trips more affordable. Despite these domestic challenges, the DOT has seen positive developments in foreign tourism. The United States has surpassed South Korea as the top source of international visitors to the Philippines between January and May, with 531,859 American tourists arriving. This surge is attributed to strong ties between the two nations and the favorable exchange rate of the US dollar, contributing to the Philippines' efforts to compete with other popular Southeast Asian destinations.