Tourism chief still has Marcos' trust despite issues — Palace

Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco speaks before the media during the DOT's Year-End Report in Makati City on December 17 , 2024. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. still trusts Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco despite several issues hounding the Philippine travel industry, Malacañang said on Thursday, belying reports of her looming Cabinet exit.

Talk about Frasco’s possible removal from the Marcos Jr. Cabinet is rife in the business community as the public continues to ask why domestic travel has become more expensive compared to foreign destinations.

“Yes, she (Frasco) still enjoys the trust of the president,” Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro told Palace reporters.

The transportation and tourism sectors are working to push down the prices of domestic flights, the Palace official said.

Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez has negotiated with Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, and they agreed to lower plane ticket prices, especially fares going to and out of Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte, Castro said.

Amid criticisms, DOT’s Frasco says she still enjoys Marcos Jr.’s trust

She added that the Civil Aeronautics Board has "reminded" airlines to also lower their fuel surcharges.

Aside from high costs of traveling in the Philippines, Frasco has also been criticized for allegedly using her position to promote herself and her brand instead of actual tourist destinations.

Woes in the Philippine tourism sector comes as Southeast Asian tourism ministers convene in Cebu to discuss how the region can improve the number of visitors it receives annually.

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In 2025, the Philippines received some 6.48 million tourists, according to government data.

This number is dwarfed by Malaysia’s 42.2 million visitors, Thailand’s 32.9 million tourists and Vietnam’s 21.1 million guests last year.

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