Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong has broached the idea of placing sports and tourism under one national department, saying the move could strengthen economic growth, promote Filipino culture, and create more sustainable opportunities for communities across the country.
Magalong said sports and tourism naturally work hand in hand. Sporting events attract visitors who spend on hotels, food, transport, and local attractions, while tourism provides venues, audiences, and exposure that help athletes and sports programs grow. According to the mayor, treating sports events as tourism products allows countries to maximize their social and economic impact.
He noted that several countries, including Croatia, Thailand, Burkina Faso, South Africa and Vietnam have already combined sports and tourism under one ministry or department. These nations plan events strategically to promote culture, increase visitor arrivals, reduce off-season travel, and provide steady income for local communities.
Vietnam can be a benchmark among SEA countries with its own Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST), which in 2025 launched the Tourism Development Stimulus Program, bundling promotional events and major national celebrations that include sports and cultural events to attract more tourists and enhance visitor experiences.
“At the city level, we can already see how this works,” Magalong said, citing Bangkok as an example where regular sports, cultural, and tourism events support hotels, transport services, small businesses, and creative industries year-round.
The mayor added that the Philippines has also benefited from sports-tourism synergy. Major events such as the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and international competitions like IRONMAN races boosted tourism and business activity in host regions, even during off-peak seasons. These experiences, he said, show how sports can help make tourism more stable and sustainable when properly planned.
Magalong pointed to Baguio City as a strong local example. Its cool climate, high elevation, and mountainous terrain make it ideal for high-altitude training, attracting national athletes and sports teams. The city also hosts major events such as the Sang-atan Bike Festival and the Fil-Am Invitational Golf Tournament, which draw participants and visitors from across the country and abroad.
“These activities bring a steady flow of visitors and support hotels, restaurants, transport services, and local businesses,” he said. “More importantly, they strengthen Baguio’s image as a sports, wellness, and training destination.”
Magalong said placing sports and tourism under one department would allow better planning, shared resources, and a clearer national strategy. He expressed hope that Malacañang would consider the proposal, stressing that when sports and tourism grow together, the benefits extend to athletes, visitors, local communities, and the national economy. Baguio City PIO release