IT is a universal human experience to seek leisure, comfort, and beauty in life and land. Amid the daily grind and the chaos of getting by, people find ways to enjoy the world’s beauty and spend time living in the moment. This is what makes tourism a vital industry to every nation — it creates pathways for experiences that remind people what it means to be living on this planet.

At the “Big Bold Reforms: The Philippine 2026 Investment Briefing” on Jan. 16, 2026 former Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco spoke about the growing economic contribution of the tourism industry — another important facet that makes it vital to the country. With the sustained demand for domestic and international travel, tourism has contributed greatly to the increase of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. It is an industry that opens doors for opportunities to invest.