Posted by Zacarian Sarao – 6 minutes ago
FILE PHOTO: Palawan’s Coron Island is popular with tourists for its rocky mountains, white sand beaches and rich marine life. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the drafting of an Executive Order (EO) for the immediate implementation of a “nomadic visa” without tax benefits, according to the Private Sector Tourism Advisory Council (PSAC-Tourism). (Lynn Lilong/Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the drafting of an Executive Order (EO) for the immediate implementation of a “nomadic visa” without tax benefits.
The Private Sector Tourism Advisory Committee (PSAC-Tourism) made the information public on Friday after recommending the issuance of a presidential decree that could be followed once the relevant bill is passed.
“[President Marcos] “We support this interim solution and have directed the Office of the Executive Secretary to draft an executive order to select pilot countries for this initiative,” PSAC-Tourism said in a statement.
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According to Lucio Tan III of the PSAC Tourism Office, the issuance of nomadic visas will attract more foreign tourists for longer stays.
“Nomadic visas need to be issued quickly to attract longer-stay tourists. Countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are already benefiting from this approach,” he said.
PSAC-Tourism also said that as part of the government’s efforts to further develop the tourism industry, it aims to promote industry-specific training programs to “equip individuals with the skills necessary to immediately enter tourism-related jobs.”
“Eighty percent of tourism workers have Tesda (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) qualifications. We need to build on this by having the private sector identify the specific skills needed and build on these qualifications,” said Filinevest Development Corporation managing director Joj Yap.
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Meanwhile, Commission on Higher Education (CHEd) chairman Prospero de Vera III elaborated on the strategic approach to tourism and hospitality education.
“There are many educational institutions offering four-year degrees in tourism and hospitality management. Having top schools run these programs will ensure quality and cater to current needs. TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) accreditation will now be recognized for these degrees, providing flexible pathways for students,” he explained.
President Marcos said efforts to upskill tourism workers should partner with the private sector, which “will give us the exact skills we need.”
