DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM

HISTORY1950s - Started as a private initiative, the Philippine Tourist & Travel Association was organized.

1956 - The Board of Travel & Tourist Industry was created by law.

1973 - The Department of Tourism (DOT), Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), and Philippine Convention Bureau (PCB) were created by the Philippine government.

1986 - Under Executive Order no. 120 and 120-A, DOT and PCB were reorganized structurally and functionally. PCB was renamed Philippine Convention & Visitors Corporation.

MISSIONThe Department of Tourism (DOT)shall be the primary government agency charged with the responsibility to encourage, promote, and develop tourism as a major socio-economic activity to generate foreign currency and employment and to spread the benefits of tourism to both the private and public sector.

TRANSPARENCY SEALTheTransparency Seal, depicted by a pearl shining outofan open shell, is a symbolofa policy shift towards openness in access to government information. Ontheone hand, it hopes to inspire Filipinos inthecivil service to be more open to citizen engagement; ontheother, to invitetheFilipino citizenry to exercisetheir right to participate in governance.This initiative is envisioned as a step intheright direction towards solidifying thepositionofthePhilippines asthePearloftheOrient a shining example for democratic virtue intheregion.

MANDATE AND FUNCTIONS

Mandate. The Department of Tourism, hereinafter referred to as the Department, shall be the primary planning, programming, coordinating, implementing and regulatory government agency in the development and promotion of the tourism industry, both domestic and international, in coordination with attached agencies and other government instrumentalities. It shall instill in the Filipino the industrys fundamental importance in the generation of employment, investment and foreign exchange.Powers and Functions. The Department shall have the following powers and functions:(a) Formulate tourism policies, plans and projects for the development of tourism as an engine of socio-economic and cultural growth; (b) Supervise and coordinate the implementation of tourism policies, plans and project;(c) Call upon all agencies of government to properly carry out their programs in Relation to and in coordination with the policies, plans and projects of the Department and to assist in the implementation thereof; (d) Communicate to the President, and the heads of departments, agencies and Instrumentalities of the government, the impact upon tourism and the economy of proposed governmental actions;(e) Provide an integrated market development program to attract people to visit The Philippines and enhance the prestige of the country and the Filipino people in the international community;(f ) Represent the government in all domestic and international conferences and fora, and in all multilateral or bilateral treaties and international agreements concerning tourism, and ensure the governments implementation thereof and compliance with all obligations arising there from;(g) Request the President for representation in all government agencies, offices, boards, commissions and committees that may affect tourism; (h) Call upon relevant government departments, agencies and offices, in consultation with the private sector, to provide access to travel, to facilitate the process of obtaining and extending visas, to integrate and simplify travel regulations and immigration procedures and to ensure their efficient, fair and courteous enforcement to assure expeditious and hospitable reception of all visitors; (i) Support, advance and promote the protection, maintenance and preservation of historical, cultural and natural endowments, in cooperation with appropriate government agencies and the private sector, and take appropriate measures against acts and omissions contrary to these objectives; (j) Monitor conditions of any community in the Philippines and, in consultation with the LGUs and law enforcers, issue timely advisories on the safety or viability of travel to particular places within the Philippines and on patronage of entities engaged in tourism related activities and of tourism products;(k) Evaluate tourism development projects for the issuance of permits and the grant of incentives by appropriate government agencies, establish a databank of tourism areas and projects for investment purposes, and encourage private sector investment and participation in tourism activities and projects; (l) Formulate and promulgate, in consultation with the LGUs, the private sector industries and other tourism stakeholders, rules and regulations governing the operation and activities of all tourism enterprises, including but not limited to a national standard for licensing, accreditation and classification of tourism enterprises, prescribing therein minimum levels of operating quality and efficiency for their operation in accordance with recognized international standards, impose reasonable penalties for violation of accreditation policies and recommend to the LGUs concerned the suspension or prohibition of operation of a tourism enterprise;(m) Monitor the LGUs compliance to national standards in the licensing of tourism enterprises, receive and investigate complaints concerning these enterprises, and act on such complaints to properly implement the provisions of this Act;(n) Ensure the proper coordination, integration, prioritization and implementation of local tourism development plans with that of the National Government; (o) Provide technical assistance to LGUs in destination development, standard setting and regulatory enforcement; (p) Undertake continuing research studies andsurvey to analyze economic conditions and trends relating to tourism and travel, and compile and integrate a statistical databank on the tourism industry; (q) Delegate to regional offices, in coordination with LGUs, specific powers and functions in the implementation of tourism policies, plans and projects; (r) Collect necessary fees and charges for the proper implementation of tourism policies, plans and projects; and (s) Exercise such other powers and functions as are necessary for the implementation of this Act (RA 9593).

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Office of the SecretaryThe Office of the Secretary provides leadership, direction, and substance to the overall operations of the Department. It formulates policies, plans , programs, rules, and regulations; reviews and evaluates the performance of the Tourism Master Plan and advises the President on all matters affecting the tourism program of the country.

Tourism Promotions SectorThe Tourism Promotion Sector has the primary function of promoting the Philippines as a tourist destination domestically and internationally. It devises integrated marketing and promotional activities such as information dissemination, public relations, special events, and related tourism programs. It likewise supervises the overseas field offices established to implement and enhance the tourism development and promotion program of the Department in the international field.

Tourism Services and Regional Offices SectorThe Tourism Services and Regional Offices Sector is tasked to ensure the pleasant entry, stay, and exit of tourists. It formulates standards of quantity and efficiency for tourism-oriented establishments, among others, done through an accreditation system. Tourist establishments' compliance to policies are monitored to make sure that their facilities and services are operated and maintained according to acceptable international norms. The Sector also supervises DOT's regional operations established to implement the policies, plans, programs, and regulations of the Department and to maintain the delivery of efficient and effective frontline services for the tourism industry.

Planning, Product Development and CoordinationThe Tourism Planning, Product Development and Coordination Sector is responsible for the formulation and updating of the Tourism Master Plan, together with its component programs. The Sector monitors the effective implementation of the Tourism Master Plan and, in coordination with the private sector and other government institutions , develops and conceptualizes new products and investment opportunities designed to enhance tourist sites and facilities.

Internal Services SectorThe Internal Services Sector ensures the smooth and legal functioning of the operations of the Department through the provision of effective and efficient advice and services in the areas of personnel management, human resources development, general services administration, computerization and information technology services, budgetary, financial and management services, and including investigatory and advisory services.

KEY RESULT AREAS (KRAs)1. Rapid, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth2. Poverty Reduction and Empowerment of the poor and vulnerable3. Integrity of the environment and climate change mitigation and adaptationMAJOR PROGRAMS AND PROJECTSA. Tourism Promotional Services for international and domestic tourists-Conduct promotional activities abroad and locally in order to promote the Philippines as a major and global tourist destination.B. Tourism product development-Conceptualization/development of new tourism products and enhancement of existing tourism products, sites, and facilities. C. Tourism Development Planning-Conceptualization/formulation/implementation/monitoring of tourism plans and studiesD. Tourism Services-Conduct inspection, accreditation of tourism establishments and services.

DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM PROJECTS Miss UniverseBeauty Pageant 1994Miss Universe 1994, the 43rdMiss Universepageant, was held at the Plenary Hall of thePhilippine International Convention Center, inPasay City,Metro Manila,Philippineson May 21, 1994 in which Sushmita Sen from India was crowned Miss Universe 1994. Florikultura '98 - international horticulture exhibition"Florikultura `98" will bring together under one venue the most exotic and rarest plants, flowers and foliage from 20 countries in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific who will showcase their native flora and their most up-to-date technology in horticulture which the Philippines will play host to the first international horticulture exhibition in Southeast Asia on Jan. 11-21, 1998. Expo Pilipino 1998 - Philippine Centennial International ExpositionExpo Pilipino(nowClark Expo) was the Philippine National Centennial Exposition and centerpiece of the commemoration of the100th anniversaryof the declaration of Philippine Independenceon June 12, 1898. The 60-hectare heritage and entertainment park inClark Freeport Zone,Angeles City,Pampangais a celebration of the Filipino's history, culture, and achievements in the past 100 years, as well as aspirations for the next millennium. This was a project of the National Centennial Commission (NCC) and the Philippine Centennial Exposition Corporation. It has a 35,000-seatamphitheater. 1998 Philippine Centennial Celebrations1998 marks the 100thanniversary of the Philippine independence. It was on June 12, 1898, when General Emilio Aguinaldo, first president of the Philippine republic, declared the independence of the country from the Spanish rule. World Exposition2002 Manila (cancelled due to financial problems of the government) Economic constraints pushed President Joseph Estrada to give up the hostingWorld Exposition 2002, as he cited the need to prioritize government funding for pro-poor initiatives and other important domestic programs. Visit Philippines 2003Richard J. Gordonorganized a Tourism Related Industry Congress composed of tourism private sector, national and local governments, schools, NGOs as a counseling body for Philippines Tourism policy. The output resulted UNWTO (United Nations World Tourism Organization), through Dr. H. Varma, declaration of the year 2003 as Visit Philippines Year. WOW (World Of Wonders) PhilippinesWorld of Wonders Philippinesslogan was a good slogan for selling the country abroad. It was noncontroversial and it was our own. It was effective. Alberto Lim decided to change tourisms campaign catchword toPilipinas Kay Ganda. "Pilipinas Kay Ganda" slogan and campaign 2010Pilipinas Kay Gandawas a short-livedadvertising campaignlaunched in 2010. It replaced theWOW Philippines campaign. The tourism slogan used in the campaign was controversial and received mostly negative reception from the Filipino public because it resembled Polands advertising logo. It's More Fun in the Philippines!The slogan created by advertising firm BBDO Guerrero | Proximity Philippines, answers the fundamental question, "Why the Philippines?"

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