Marcos cites role of tourism in attracting foreign investments

President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. on Monday highlighted the role of tourism in attracting more foreign direct investments into the country.

Marcos made the remark during the courtesy call of 2023 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour participants at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace.

"It has become a more extensive program in the sense that we have put a great deal of priority on our tourism and our investment not only in the Philippines but also abroad," Marcos said in his message.

"And so this plays for me in my view, this plays a part in our transformation of our economy, tourism plays a very large part of that... foreign direct investments coming in certainly play a great deal or part of that, and we look to Filipinos not only in the Philippines but everywhere around the world," he added.

Launched by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Rajah Tours, the VIP Tour is being offered to Filipino-Americans, their families, and friends.

This year's itinerary combines the best of Metropolitan Manila, Iloilo, and Boracay, where participants will get to enjoy an enriching vacation experience as they explore the country’s award-winning beaches and historical sites,

They will also experience the country's rich cultural heritage and traditions.

Marcos said there have been many great opportunities for the VIP Tour participants as well as the entire Philippines as "we try to transform the economy."

"We try to transform our society into one that is more agile, one that is more prepared and forward-looking in terms of the new environment that we have to live and work in," Marcos said. —NB, GMA Integrated News