Sports tourism is rapidly becoming the most powerful engine in the global sports economy, and Philippine officials are moving to align the country with that momentum. Government leaders believe the sector can unlock sustained economic gains if hosting strategies are planned beyond competition days.

In advanced sporting economies such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and across Europe, sports-related activity contributes between 2 percent and 4 percent of GDP while supporting one in every 25 full-time jobs. These figures serve as reference points for the Philippines’ long-term ambitions.

The economic scale of elite events is already well established globally. The 2024 Boston Marathon alone injected roughly $500 million into Massachusetts through tourism, commercial activity, and tax collections.

Gregorio pushes coordinated hosting model

National Sports Tourism–Inter Agency Committee Chairman Patrick Gregorio said sports tourism captures the largest share of value within the sports economy. He emphasized that coordination across agencies and the private sector is critical to ensuring that hosting translates into lasting economic benefits.

Gregorio said the goal is to make each event contribute to infrastructure use, employment, and international exposure rather than serving as a one-off spectacle. The approach prioritizes legacy planning alongside competition delivery.

That framework was formalized when President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. signed Administrative Order No. 38, creating the NST-IAC to centralize planning, bidding, and execution of sports tourism initiatives nationwide.

Under AO 38, the committee is responsible for aligning projects with national laws, managing international hosting bids, and promoting large-scale domestic sporting events capable of stimulating regional economies.

Government alignment and event pipeline

The committee brings together the Philippine Sports Commission, Department of Tourism, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Budget and Management, Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation, and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, alongside private-sector partners.

Senior officials including DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla, DBM Secretary Rolando Toledo, PAGCOR Chairman Alejandro Tengco, and TIEZA COO Mark Lapid have expressed full support for accelerating sports tourism under the President’s directive.

Momentum is already visible on the hosting calendar. Over the next two weeks, the Philippines will stage the Philippine Women’s Open on the WTA125 circuit and the Philippine Golf Championship on the Asian Tour, events expected to draw international athletes and visitors.

The PSC also supported four major global events last year, including world championships in volleyball, futsal, surfing, and junior artistic gymnastics, reinforcing the country’s growing credibility as a host.

Global trends fuel urgency

Sports tourism accounted for roughly 10 percent of global travel spending in 2025, with revenues expanding at a compound annual rate of 28 percent since 2020. Industry forecasts indicate the segment will drive 60 percent of total sports economy growth through 2030.

Gregorio said these trends make timing critical for the Philippines, particularly as emerging economies become the next frontier for sports-driven tourism growth. He noted that benefits extend beyond visitor spending to workforce productivity and national branding.

With AO 38 institutionalizing coordination across government and industry, officials believe the Philippines is positioning itself to compete as a premier destination for athletes, fans, and families in the years ahead.