National Sports Tourism Committee charts bold strategy for economic growth

Sports tourism is fast emerging as the most dynamic driver of the global sports economy, and the Philippines is determined to seize this opportunity through the leadership of the National Sports Tourism–Inter Agency Committee under Chairman Patrick Gregorio.

In mature sporting markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, sports contribute between 2 percent and 4 percent of gross domestic product and support approximately one in every 25 full-time jobs.

Major events like the Boston Marathon highlight the scale of this impact, with its 2024 edition generating $500 million for Massachusetts through tax revenues, vendor activity, and visitor spending.

Gregorio underscored the importance of aligning the Philippines with these global benchmarks.

“Sports tourism gets the biggest pie in the sports economy. This is what we are trying to achieve, it’s the right strategy,” said Gregorio, pointing to the Committee’s role in coordinating government agencies, private sector partners, and local communities to ensure every hosting leaves a lasting legacy.

President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Administrative Order No. 38, creating the National Sports Tourism–Inter Agency Committee (NST-IAC) to spearhead the country’s sports tourism agenda.

The NST-IAC is tasked with crafting and promoting initiatives that align with national laws, overseeing bids and hosting of major international sporting events, and driving large-scale domestic activities to energize local economies.

It also ensures close collaboration among key agencies, including the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), alongside private sector partners.

DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, DBM Secretary Rolando Toledo, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco and TIEZA COO Mark Lapid are solidly behind this initiative of President Marcos to accelerate sports tourism.

By institutionalizing this framework, AO 38 positions sports tourism as a pillar of national development, seen as a powerful tool to generate jobs, boost businesses, and project the Philippines as a premier destination on the global stage.

“We are looking forward to making each hosting bigger and better in the years ahead. Beyond the competition itself, this effort is about charging up the local economy and positioning our country as a global sports tourism driver,” said Gregorio, also the Chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission.

Under Gregorio, both the PSC and NST-IAC will host two major international sporting events over the next two weeks: the Philippine Women’s Open (WTA125), to be held at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex from January 26-31, and the Philippine Golf Championship on the Asian Tour at Wack Wack Golf and Country Club from February 5-8.

Last year, the PSC also helped bring four major global sporting events to the country—the FIVB Men’s World Championship, the FIFA Women’s Futsal World Cup, the World Surf League, and the FIG World Junior Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

The global sports economy is being reshaped by several trends: the acceleration of sports tourism, the emergence of sport as an asset class, the mainstreaming of women’s sport, and the rebalancing of growth toward emerging economies.

Sports tourism alone accounted for 10 percent of global travel expenditure in 2025, with revenues growing at a compound annual rate of 28 percent since 2020.

Forecasts suggest it will drive 60 percent of total sports economy revenue growth until 2030, making it the fastest-growing segment of the global tourism industry.

Gregorio emphasized that the Philippines must harness these trends to strengthen its economic base.

Beyond direct revenues, sports also contribute to workforce productivity. For Gregorio, this underscores the broader impact of sports tourism.

“It’s not just about events, it’s about creating jobs, boosting local businesses, and showcasing the Philippines on the world stage,” he said.

With the Committee’s coordinated approach under AO 38, the Philippines is setting its sights on becoming a premier destination for athletes, fans, and families worldwide. NLMonitor