Incoming Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay has been handed a clear mandate: make tourism work not just for popular destinations, but for local economies across the country.
President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. appointed the veteran trade diplomat to lead the Department of Tourism (DOT) with an explicit push to align travel with job creation, business growth, and regional development.
“Her appointment reflects the administration’s push to position tourism not only as a cultural showcase, but as a strong driver of jobs, businesses , and regional development,” the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a statement.
“With her appointment, the administration aims to further align tourism with economic growth attracting more investments, supporting local industries, and ensuring that the gains from tourism are felt across the regions,” it added.
Angara-Mathay previously headed the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Tokyo, where she secured P51 billion in Japanese investment pledges and championed programs expanding opportunities for Filipino MSMEs.
The PCO said her decades of experience in international trade and investment will be vital as the country enters “a new phase of tourism development.”
