TIEZA COO Mark Lapid Shares Big Plans for Philippine Tourism, Airports, and Cultural Growth

 

Philippine tourism is gearing up for a major transformation, and according to TIEZA COO Mark Lapid, the future looks brighter than ever.

In a recent interview, Lapid shared exciting developments involving airport upgrades, environmental projects, cultural tourism, and even the possibility of global Filipino stars helping promote the country to the world.

The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), which mainly relies on travel tax collections for funding, faced serious financial challenges during the pandemic. With travel restrictions shutting down tourism for months, revenues dropped significantly. But now, the agency has made a strong comeback, with collections reportedly exceeding pre-pandemic levels by more than one billion pesos.

Because of this recovery, TIEZA is now moving forward with several large-scale tourism and infrastructure projects across the Philippines.

One of the agency’s biggest priorities is the rehabilitation of ten domestic airports, including those in Siargao, Zamboanga, Butuan, and Tuguegarao. The goal is to modernize these gateways and give travelers a more comfortable and world-class experience.

Lapid explained that the upgrades will go beyond simple renovations. TIEZA wants airport interiors to feel cleaner, more organized, and more reflective of Filipino identity. Instead of the usual color-heavy terminal designs, the agency plans to create a more polished and modern look where airline counters are streamlined and visually unified.

Beyond airports, TIEZA is also investing in environmental and community-based tourism projects. In Boracay, the agency is helping fund the expansion of sewage treatment facilities to address waste management concerns and protect the island’s long-term sustainability.

Lapid also recently visited Naga City, where he met with former Vice President and now Mayor Leni Robredo to discuss tourism opportunities in the Bicol Region. Among the projects discussed was the development of Mount Isarog as a major eco-tourism destination.

During the visit, Lapid inspected the ongoing construction of the Peñafrancia Museum located near the Basilica. TIEZA hopes to complete and officially turn over the museum to the church later this year. Discussions also included plans to improve regional accessibility, such as expanding the Naga Airport runway and reviving transport connections like the iconic Bicol Express train line.

Aside from tourism infrastructure, Lapid also spoke about the importance of access to reliable information in today’s digital age. He shared his appreciation that more Filipinos are now recognizing the legislative work of his father, Senator Lito Lapid, especially now that information is easier to verify online.

At the same time, he raised concerns about the spread of misinformation on social media. Because many telecom promos offer free access to social platforms, Lapid mentioned supporting a proposal that would require telecom companies to provide free access to Google Search as part of regular mobile load packages. According to him, this could help students and ordinary Filipinos do proper research without additional costs.

Lapid also expressed excitement about the growing global influence of Filipino talent, particularly the P-pop phenomenon BINI. When asked about the possibility of the group becoming official tourism ambassadors for the Philippines, he said he hopes they would accept the role.

He believes BINI’s growing international popularity could help introduce more people around the world to Filipino culture, music, and tourist destinations, further strengthening the country’s global image through entertainment and pop culture.

In the end, Lapid emphasized that TIEZA will continue supporting projects connected to music, sports, and cultural tourism. He pointed to the agency’s previous rehabilitation of Rizal Memorial Stadium, which helped the country host major international tennis events.

With ongoing investments in infrastructure, sustainability, transportation, and culture, TIEZA hopes to create a stronger and more globally competitive tourism industry for the Philippines in the years ahead.