The Department of Tourism (DOT) is working to attract more investments into tourism infrastructure, said Secretary Christina Frasco on Friday as government seeks to make the hospitality sector more competitive.

“As we invite more and more tourists to come into the Philippines, we would like to ensure that we are competitive as far as our accommodation services is concerned,” Frasco said in an interview at the Philippine Tourism Satellite Accounts and Tourism Statistics Dissemination Forum in Pasay City on Friday.

“That is why we are very welcome to investments in terms of additional hotels, resorts and related services in terms of providing our tourists with a place to stay in the country, not just in our well known destinations, but also in our emerging and lesser known destinations,” she added.

Data from the DOT showed that the country’s room inventory as a whole is still lower compared to other neighboring states in Southeast Asia.

As of 2021, the country ranks fifth in the region with 212,373 available rooms.

On top of accommodation, Frasco said the government also welcomes investments on connectivity, including on airports, seaports, transport services, and related services.

“Through our investment promotions arm, as well as our infrastructure arm the TIEZA our efforts towards eliciting proposals as far as tourism investments is concerned are continuous, especially towards our tourism enterprise zones,” Frasco said.

Under the CREATE Law, Frasco said investors for tourism would get huge incentives.

“And, we continue to approach potential investors in the country to ensure that we see the full maximization of the potential Philippine tourism by providing the right infrastructure for its development,” she said. (PNA)