Origin of Tourism and

Hospitality
in the
PHILIPPINES
Reporter: Axel Hagosojos
Hunting and Fishing Stage of
Man
Inhabitants of the country roamed
around for food.

Although the mode of travel was

underdeveloped, Inter-tribe Travel still
occurred.
 Magellan’s
Expedition
• March 16, 1521–Ferdinand Magellan discovered the Philippines.
• A more recognizable form of Tourism appeared during 1521.
• The period of Spanish colonization started and the Galleon Trade was
opened.
 1920’s

• China Clipper and Manila Clipper brought some passengers to Manila

via Hong Kong .
• During American occupation, the Pan-American Airways air clipper
also known “Pan-Am” helped the Americans to reach Manila after
two weeks on board.
First Aircraft arrived in the
COLORUM-means illegal tour handling and the illegal
use of private vehicles for public use.
- it was tolerated by the government authorities at that time
since tourism was not yet developed.
 The development of the mode of travel
in the Philippines was:
1. Hunting &
Fishing 3. Air Clippers
2. Galleon Trade
Inter-tribe Air
LAND WATER
• There were no tour operators nor travel agencies formally existed.
• Travelers from the U.S, China, Japan and Europe were provided inland
tours with their unregistered cars called “Colorum”.
• Colorum means illegal tour handling and the illegal use of private
vehicles for private use.
• American Express International- one of the offices which informally
arranged inland tours for foreign travelers.
• Few attractions during this period were Manila, Pagsanjan Falls,
Laguna Lake Tour, Tagaytay and Taal Volcano, Mt. Mayon Tour, Legaspi
Tour, Baguio City and Banaue Tour.
• Other popular tours in the South in 1920’s were Cebu City and
Zamboanga City.
• 1938(before World War II)- There were no statistical records and data
available about Tourism in the Philippines.
• 1947-Steamships and Airlines began to service the Philippines from
the other countries.
• 1952- Philippine Tourist and Travel Association was organized. Board
of Travel and Tourism Industry served as (PTTA)’s promotional arm.
Philippine Tourist and Travel Association (PTTA) – is the first tourism
association in the Philippines. It was organized to:
-Put together all existing travel establishments serving both domestic
and international travelers.
-Promote the country’s tourism industry.
Board of Travel and Tourism Industry(BTTI) was also organized by the
government to:
-Regulate, supervise and control the tourism industry
-Subsidize the PTTA as its promotional arm.
• Late 1950’s- More hotels, restaurants and entertainment facilities
were established.
• 1960 to 1970- Philippines has undergone economic, social, political
crises which hindered the development and promotion of tourism.
The tourism industry was denied the peace and order, sanitation,
financial support, and other important factors for tourism
development.
• Early 1970’s- a temporary tourist boom existed in the Philippines.
Tourism in the Philippines prospered during the martial Law and it
became a "bargain destination” to foreign visitors. As several tour
groups arrived, more accommodations, food and beverage facilities
and more airline frequencies were established.
 Tourism in the Philippines Today
• This is the result of the continuous development and promotion of
tourism from 1950 up to the present.
• Based on the records, Philippines is still in the tail-end of tourist
arrivals compared to the growth of other Asian destinations such as
Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Taiwan and Japan.
 National Tourism Organization of the Philippines or
Department of Tourism take actions in making plans and
programs. Among these are:

1. Increase visitor arrivals especially from nearby markets like Japan,

Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan and high spending markets like Germany.
2. Increase tourism receipts through longer stays and higher spending
per day which can be accomplished by more attractive destinations
and tours, more shopping and dining and getting not just the
budget traveler but also the upscale markets.
3. Expand domestic tourism through more promotions, cheaper tour
packages and new facilities especially for the lower income
segments.
4. Expand capacity for tourism by promoting more private sector
investments.
5. Improve the standards of service through the expansion of training
programs for the professionalization of the tourism management and
labor force.
6. Program major tourism infrastructure projects.
7. Engage in major tourism estate and resort development.
8. Classify facilities in tourism sites according to international standards.
9. Enforce strictly the tour facility standards.
10. Promote self-regulation within the different sectors of the tourism
industry.
11. Complete the national tourism plan and a destination tourism plan.
12. Encourage consumer advertising in selected markets.
13. Work closely with the private sector in product development.
14. Develop and strengthen linkages with the local government, the
private sector and the general public through tourism councils.
Thank
you!