Department of Tourism - WOW Philippines

ABOUT THE SITE
This site focuses on the Philippines' primary gateways. It is aimed at providing travelers with a travel information service, with emphasis on key attractions, cultural attractions, major special events, and various travel and tour packages

FAST FACTS
Situated on the crossroads of Asia, on the eastern rim of the China Sea, the Philippines has hosted voyagers, migrants and traders since the dawn of history. Early trade with China and Japan can be traced on the archaeological relics left behind by traders in the banks of major hubs of the country.

The West discovery of the Philippines in 1521 facilitated the growth of Christianity and emergence of new culture. However, Spanish colonization did not actually began until 1565 when voyager Miguel Lopez de Legaspi established a Spanish base in the town of Manila, the Philippines' Capital.

In 1898, the Philippines won independence after 327 years under Spanish rule, but found themselves controlled by the Americans from 1900-1942 and the Japanese from 1942-1945. The Americans brought over their educational and legal systems and introduced their style of government. With the end of the Japanese occupation in 1946, the Philippines regained democracy as a Republic. True democracy was fully achieved by the Filipinos after the "People Power Revolution" in 1986 which led to the downfall of the reigning dictatorship. Still one of the strongest democracies in Asia, the current president is Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.

MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
Secretary Richard Gordon
Secretary of Tourism

We all have roles to play in tourism. If we positively work on these roles, we will significantly grease the wheel that runs tourism as a motor of job creation.

TIME Magazine, in its May 21, 2001 issue said, "over the last ten years, travel and tourism has evolved from an emerging sector to an established leader in a modern service economy. The world indeed witnessed the fact that it is not technology that makes the economy, but tourism."

As the Secretary of Tourism, I admit that the country's tourism industry suffered a blow due to the challenges that hit this country. But I am not saying that we cannot get back to the game. Yes, we have saddled with problems affecting tourism, but we are not losing any more time in working and preparing for a tourism renaissance.

With no less than the President's thrusts for tourism revitalization, we at the Department, along with the private sector and other local government units, we are forcefully pushing the country's tourism revitalization forward. During the successful Tourism-Related Industry Congress, we have secured the cooperation and support of the Cabinet and the Congress to enact more responsive tourism laws and to provide better tourist security.

Come and see our islands, and be wowed with our wonders! Mabuhay