Despite graphic media coverage and criticism from the international community, President Rodrigo Duterte's bloody “war on drugs,” which has left more than 6,000 people dead, seems to have had little effect on tourism in the Philippines thus far. Still, the country is in need of a boost if it wants its growth in the travel and hospitality sectors to stay on track.
There will be a chance to divert media attention away from the violence when the Miss Universe pageant is held in Metro Manila later this month. The county has had a year to get ready to showcase its best attributes (Miss Philippines won the crown last year, so tradition dictates that her home country hosts this year’s event). Tourism officials are banking on a boost in the wake of the globally televised event on Jan. 30.
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