| Department of Tourism |
 |
| Seal of the Department of Tourism |
 |
| Department of Tourism building in Rizal Park, Manila |
| Agency overview |
| Formed |
May 11, 1973 |
| Headquarters |
Agrifina Circle, Rizal Park, Manila |
| Annual budget |
P1.547 billion (2007) |
| Agency executive |
Joseph Ace Durano, Secretary |
| Website |
| www.tourism.gov.ph |
The Department of Tourism (DOT; Filipino: Kagawaran ng Turismo) is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the regulation of the Philippine tourism industry and the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination.
History
Started as a private initiative to promote the Philippines as a major travel destination, the Philippine Tourist & Travel Association was organized in 1950. In 1956, the Board of Travel and Tourist Industry was created by Philippine Congress. In 1973, President Ferdinand Marcos created the cabinet-level Ministry of Tourism (MOT), the agency Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) and the Philippine Convention Bureau (PCB).
Then in 1986, under Executive Order Numbers 120 and 120-A signed by President Corazon Aquino, now the Department of Tourism was reorganized and the Philippine Convention Bureau was renamed as Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation. In 1998, the Department of Tourism was one of the main offices of the government responsible for the culmination of the centennial celebrations of Philippine Independence from Spain.
In 2002, the Department of Tourism initiated one of its most successful tourism promotion project, Visit Philippines 2003, under Secretary Richard J. Gordon.
Tourism projects
- Visit Islands Philippines 1994
- Miss Universe Beauty Pageant 1994
- Florikultura '98 - international horticulture exhibition
- Expo Pilipino 1998 - Philippine Centennial International Exposition
- 1998 Philippine Centennial Celebrations
- World Exposition 2002 Manila (cancelled due to financial problems of the government) [1]
- Visit Philippines 2003
- WOW (World Of Wonders) Philippines
List of Secretaries of Tourism
| Name |
Month and Year Started |
Month and Year Ended |
| Jose Antonio Gonzales |
March 1986 |
June 30, 1987 |
| Rafael Alunan III |
July 1, 1987 |
June 30, 1989 |
| Narzalina Z. Lim |
July 1, 1989 |
June 30, 1992 |
| Vicente Carlos |
July 1, 1992 |
1996 |
| Evelyn B. Pantig (acting) |
1996 |
1996 |
| Guillermina T. Gabor |
May 19, 1996 |
June 30, 1998 |
| Gemma Cruz-Araneta |
July 1, 1998 |
January 20, 2001 |
| Richard J. Gordon |
January 20, 2001 |
January 2004 |
| Robert Dean Barbers (acting) |
January 2004 |
February 2004 |
| Roberto M. Pagdanganan |
February 2004 |
September 2005 |
| Joseph Ace H. Durano |
September 2005 |
present |
External links
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