A few years ago, the idea of travelling overseas and exploring distant places seemed an elusive dream. The pandemic didn’t just slow tourism down–it was brought to a standstill, grounding airlines and forcing travel bans. Despite these restrictions, the tourism and hospitality industry adapted.
Hotels partnered with local government units (LGUs) and other organizations to accommodate displaced seafarers and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs). At the same time, food businesses created cloud kitchens to supply meals to employees compelled to stay at offices, while strictly adhering to strict health and safety guidelines.
Operating at the bare minimum, the global health crisis led the tourism industry to lose momentum. Fortunately, through sound management and government support, the sector is getting back on track and is among the main drivers of the country’s economic development.
Today, the numbers[AA1] [GU2] paint a promising story. Tourist arrivals in the Philippines rose to 5.95 million in 2024—a 9.15% increase over the previous year’s 5.45 million. Foreign tourist arrivals are up 5.44 million or 8.70% versus the 5 million in 2023. What’s more remarkable is how these recent figures have vastly improved from the 2.65 million arrivals in 2022.
While the industry is steadily recovering, the way we travel has changed. Health and safety remain a top concern among travelers, followed by political stability, safety, and tech-enabled services for transactions and communications. While economic factors greatly influence travel decisions, tourists value cultural or natural attractions that are authentic and unique.
They seek meaningful experiences that the Philippines can undoubtedly provide through its numerous fiestas, traditions, culture, and breathtaking natural wonders.
Dr. Lora Lee French-Reboton, Mapúa University’s Dean of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management, said that the uniqueness of the Filipino culture was enticing to visitors. She also explained the importance of the Department of Tourism’s themed promotions like “Love the Philippines,” highlighting traditions, practices, and traits to set Filipinos apart from their Asian neighbors. Filipinos’ inherent hospitable nature and English proficiency are also a plus among travelers.
Dean Reboton explained that the tourism and hospitality industry anticipates steady growth in the next five to ten years, as the Department of Tourism projected. Using its learnings from the pandemic, businesses have become more prudent and agile in their operations, adopting a holistic perspective.
However, to do this, the country needs enhanced infrastructure to support tourism. This entails bigger airports, road networks, bridges, integrated transportation systems, and professionalism among frontliners. In popular vacation destinations, for instance, visitors have to go to different terminals for airline, boat, and shuttle vehicles to move around the area. If all transport services and concerned government and tourism agencies were in one hub, tourists would find the journey even more appealing and easier to revisit. At the same time, better coordination between government agencies and travel and hospitality service providers will ensure a seamless customer experience.
The country also needs more expert tourism professionals to expand its reach and ensure that inbound travel for both foreign and Filipino tourists is consistently a delightful experience.
This is where institutions like Mapúa University come in. Known for its legacy of academic excellence and commitment to building the future, Mapúa has designed new BS Tourism Management and BS Hospitality Management programs that transform students into industry leaders who are bold, capable, and dedicated to helping elevate the standards of Philippine tourism.
“Being attuned to the industry’s requirements, Mapúa has developed a model to ensure its graduates possess the skills and knowledge needed. Our graduates are not only equipped to deliver excellent service but are also prepared to seamlessly integrate into professional environments. This is through exposure to professional faculty or practitioners who work in hotels, airlines, or related establishments; immersion in actual work environments, and inculcation of the Mapúan values of discipline, excellence, commitment, integrity, and relevance” said Dean Reboton.
These new tourism programs combine theory with real-world exposure, leveraging the University’s local and international partnerships and collaborations. Students don’t just learn the ropes and rotes of the industry — they’re trained to innovate within it. Learners gain real-world insights from faculty members who are active in the sector. They develop an attitude of service excellence and are trained to become social entrepreneurs committed to the environment, people, and business.
Both programs integrate the newest technology to ensure that its digital native students remain conversant in the latest tools. Learners gain a distinct advantage by studying in the newest Mapúa campus located within Seda Hotel, Manila Bay in Aseana Estate—an immersive learning environment outfitted with industry-grade equipment and real-world hospitality settings. This setup allows students to seamlessly bridge theory and practice, applying classroom concepts in professional-standard spaces from day one.
Mapúa’s new programs of the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management are more than an academic expansion—they are concrete solutions that will empower the country to attain a better and more sustainable tourism industry in the future.
To learn more about them, click https://bit.ly/ask-us-at-mapua. Ready to enroll? Visit admissions.mapua.edu.ph/portal and begin your journey to world-class education today!
