DTI, DOT Forge Alliance to Boost MSMEs, Tourism Growth

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the Department of Tourism (DOT) have sealed a landmark agreement to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and strengthen the country’s tourism ecosystem through coordinated efforts in product development, investment promotion, and cultural tourism.

DTI Secretary Cristina A. Roque and DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on April 7, marking a strategic partnership aimed at fostering inclusive economic growth by integrating enterprise development with tourism initiatives.

“By working together, we are enhancing the synergy between tourism promotion and enterprise development,” said Roque.

“This convergence aims to foster inclusive growth, empower local industries, and unlock opportunities that reach far beyond our urban centers and into the heart of our communities,” she added.

Under the agreement, the DTI will assist tourism-linked MSMEs by facilitating access to financing through its financing arm, the Small Business Corporation (SBCorp), which offers loan programs such as RISE UP and HEROES for entrepreneurs affected by economic disruptions.

The DTI will also participate in DOT-led events to promote Philippine-made goods and services, while strengthening its existing One Town, One Product (OTOP) program as a channel for tourism-related market access.

As part of the collaboration, OTOP hubs will be integrated into DOT’s Philippine Experience Program, Cultural Tourism offerings, and Tourist Rest Areas (TRAs) to promote locally sourced crafts, food, and merchandise.

On the creative industries front, both agencies agreed to support branding and product innovation initiatives that celebrate Filipino ingenuity and fuel cultural tourism.

For its part, the DOT will identify strategic destinations and target markets for collaborative tourism packages, and lead marketing campaigns that highlight the country’s diverse heritage and unique travel experiences.

It will also provide dedicated retail space for local products within TRAs and extend service training programs such as the Filipino Brand of Service Excellence to DTI-affiliated enterprises.

To enhance reach, the two departments will mount joint domestic and international promotions, trade missions, and investment campaigns positioning Philippine tourism as both a cultural asset and a business opportunity.

Tourism Secretary Frasco emphasized the significance of cross-sectoral collaboration in reviving the industry and sustaining the livelihoods tied to it.

This partnership, she said, “paves the way for a more holistic and sustainable approach to tourism development that benefits not just destinations, but the communities and entrepreneurs that make our country truly unique.”

The initiative aligns with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s “Bagong Pilipinas” governance agenda, which promotes national transformation through a whole-of-government strategy focused on inclusive prosperity, cultural pride, and economic resilience.

As of 2024, MSMEs comprise 99.6% of all registered businesses in the Philippines, employing over 63% of the country’s workforce, according to DTI data.

Through this collaboration, both departments aim to maximize tourism’s multiplier effect by integrating grassroots enterprises into the national economic value chain.