Ocean tourism is a significant contributor to the economy of the Philippines, an archipelagic nation with one of the longest coastlines in the world and one of the best marine environments in terms of biodiversity. 

Coastal and marine tourism contributes $3 billion in value added to the economy and employs around 900,000.

This paper examines how ocean tourism and economic development intertwine in archipelagic nations, examining national statistical data on tourism and economic development in the Philippines over the last several years. It looks at the policy landscape, identifies the enabling and disabling factors for the development of ocean tourism in the Philippines, and examines how inclusive models can be a catalyst for sustainable tourism.

Contents

• Introduction
• Tourism and Economic Development in the Philippines
• Ocean Wealth of the Philippines
• Ocean Tourism in the Philippines
• Policy Landscape and Gaps
• Case Study Analysis: El Nido Resorts
• Conclusion and Ways to Proceed

Published December 2021.
Source: Asian Development Bank Institute

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