The Philippines continues to accelerate its goal of doubling gross gaming revenue (GGR) by 2028, and recent data shows this momentum clearly building.
In 2023, the country posted a net travel trade surplus of $2.45 billion—the first in 15 years. This surplus indicates that foreign visitors spent more in the Philippines than Filipino travelers spent abroad, marking a strong return for the tourism industry.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed this development, citing it as a clear signal of recovery. According to the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP), the last travel surplus occurred in 2007, totaling $1.93 billion.
Furthermore, DOT data shows that travel services export receipts hit $9.78 billion in 2023, which already accounts for 93.2% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco emphasized that the public and private sectors must collaborate to achieve the goals outlined in the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP) 2023–2028. She noted that DOT will intensify promotional campaigns and develop distinct travel experiences to attract both local and international visitors.
Thanks to these efforts, the Philippines welcomed 5.45 million international tourists in 2023—exceeding expectations.
This tourism resurgence is directly powering growth in the country’s gaming sector. Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) Chairman Alejandro Tengco projected that GGR will grow at least 10% annually, reaching between PHP450 billion ($7.9 billion) and PHP500 billion ($8.8 billion) by 2028.
In fact, PAGCOR recorded PHP285 billion ($5.1 billion) in GGR in 2023—an all-time high—and expects to hit PHP336 billion ($6 billion) in 2024. Tengco also expressed confidence that the Philippines will surpass Singapore as Asia’s second-largest gaming hub by 2025, just behind Macau.
The momentum doesn’t stop there. Bloomberry Resorts will launch its $1 billion Solaire North in Quezon City this May. Additionally, Suntrust Resort Holdings targets a Q1 2025 opening for the Westside City Main Hotel Casino in Entertainment City, Manila.
Both foreign and local investors continue to channel funds into the casino industry, with projections estimating up to $6 billion in new capital over the next five years. Tengco confirmed plans to launch at least one new integrated resort every other year in key destinations, including Clark and Cebu.
Clearly, the surge in tourism is not just reviving the hospitality industry—it is also supercharging casino gaming. As more international travelers arrive, their demand for premium entertainment, leisure, and gaming fuels record-breaking growth. Together, tourism and gaming form a powerful alliance that continues to elevate the Philippines as a leading destination in Asia.
