Philippine Tourism Chief Flags Misinformation as Major Threat to Sector Growth

Philippine Tourism Chief Flags Misinformation as Major Threat to Sector Growth

MANILA – Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco on Wednesday underscored that misinformation about the Philippines’ security situation remains one of the most persistent challenges facing the country’s tourism industry.

Speaking at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, Frasco pointed to circulating claims that falsely depict the Philippines as unsafe for travelers—misleading content that continues to resurface online despite being disproven.

“While already debunked, it was repeatedly carried and still posted nonetheless,” Frasco said, emphasizing the continued spread of inaccurate narratives.
“There’s so much misinformation out there about Philippine tourism and that poses as a big challenge,” she added.

One example she cited was the 2025 ranking released by travel insurance firm HelloSafe, which listed the Philippines as among the “world’s most dangerous countries for travelers”—a report the government quickly refuted as false, misleading, and inconsistent with actual security data.

To counter misinformation, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is working closely with various agencies to strengthen digital systems, enhance connectivity, and improve tourism infrastructure nationwide. The agency is also intensifying inter-agency safety initiatives with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“As far as our source market is concerned, South Korea continues to be number one for the Philippines, but it has had its challenges so we’re working closely with the DILG and PNP for peace and order and tourism safety,” Frasco said.

Despite ongoing challenges, the DOT remains optimistic. Frasco shared that the agency is launching a more aggressive global marketing campaign targeting priority tourism markets such as South Korea, the United States, Japan, and Australia to sustain visitor growth and strengthen the country’s international presence. (via PNA)

via Entertainment City PH