Village Connect
From financial free fall to record-breaking recovery, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has scripted an inspiring comeback story that is reshaping the Philippine tourism landscape. Speaking before tourism stakeholders at the Visayas Regional Consultative Meeting of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines in Cebu, TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid shared how the agency turned a staggering 98% deficit at the height of the pandemic into a ₱7.8 billion travel tax revenue triumph by 2024.
When Lapid resumed leadership in 2021, TIEZA’s ₱12 billion reserves had been diverted to the government’s pandemic response, while border closures halted travel tax collections — the agency’s primary income stream. But rather than accept defeat, TIEZA embraced digital innovation, launching an online travel tax payment platform and forming strategic alliances to rebuild confidence and efficiency. The results were remarkable: not only did travel tax revenues rebound, but TIEZA also regained fiscal strength to fund over 230 tourism projects nationwide.
Among these initiatives, the rollout of 41 Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) across the archipelago stands out — more than just comfort stops, these serve as tourist information hubs and showcases for local crafts, stretching from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi. Lapid emphasized that the target of over 100 TRAs in the coming years reflects TIEZA’s vision to make travel more seamless and community-focused.
For the country’s prized dive destinations, safety and sustainability remain top priorities. Ten hyperbaric chambers are currently being installed in key spots like Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan, with plans to add five more this year. These chambers not only protect divers but also open doors for wellness tourism.
Environmental protection also anchors TIEZA’s agenda. The agency expanded sewer connections in Boracay from under 1,000 to over 2,350, helping curb pollution and seasonal algal blooms — a move backed by research from the University of the Philippines Visayas. Similar efforts are underway in Puerto Galera, ensuring tourism growth remains environmentally responsible.
Beyond infrastructure, TIEZA is fueling local tourism economies through the Tourism Champions Challenge, empowering LGUs to transform their areas into vibrant destinations. Already, fifteen LGUs have received support, with more set to benefit soon. Landmark projects like the San Juanico Bridge lighting — now a tourist draw complete with boat tours — and the revival of heritage icons like Banaue Hotel and Mount Data Hotel reflect TIEZA’s commitment to blending modernization with cultural preservation.
TIEZA’s reach also extends to investments: PHP 229 billion worth of approved tourism projects under the Strategic Investments Priority Plan promise over 133,000 new jobs nationwide. From hotels and farm tourism ventures to theme parks and health and wellness centers, these projects are reshaping local economies and redefining the tourist experience.
Lapid stressed that every ₱1,620 travel tax collected isn’t just a fee — it funds infrastructure, education, and cultural programs. Fifty percent supports TIEZA’s projects, 40% aids higher education through CHED, and 10% sustains the NCCA’s cultural work. Yet public awareness remains low, with only 1% of travelers using TIEZA’s online system. Lapid called on stakeholders to help tell this story, advocating for transparency and potential amendments to ensure tax funds truly reach tourism scholars.
As Lapid concluded, TIEZA’s journey from crisis to resurgence isn’t merely about numbers — it’s about partnership, purpose, and a shared vision: a tourism industry that thrives sustainably, inclusively, and proudly Filipino.
For more information, visit http://www.tieza.gov.ph and follow TIEZA’s social media accounts: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TIEZAOfficial/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiezagovph/
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