Senator JV Ejercito has filed a resolution calling for a Senate inquiry into the implementation of the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), citing growing concerns over the high cost of domestic air travel. Ejercito noted that domestic airfare prices are sometimes higher than international flights to destinations like Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Hong Kong, signaling deeper systemic issues. He stated that expensive local flights discourage domestic tourism and negatively affect communities and industries that rely on visitor spending. The Senate Committee on Tourism is to examine whether the NTDP is effectively strengthening tourism infrastructure and making travel within the country more accessible. In response, the Department of Transportation stated that the government is already implementing measures to reduce fares, explaining that prices depend on aircraft size and capacity. The Civil Aeronautics Board added that several provincial airports can only accommodate smaller aircraft due to runway limitations, contributing to higher fares. Launched in 2023, the NTDP aims to enhance tourism infrastructure and connectivity. Ejercito emphasized that better infrastructure must come first if the Philippines wants tourism to thrive, noting that domestic travel should not cost more than flying abroad.
