MANILA — President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has created the National Sports Tourism Inter-Agency Committee (NST-IAC) to coordinate government efforts in developing and promoting sports tourism both locally and internationally.

Under Administrative Order (AO) No. 38, signed by Executive Secretary Lucas P. Bersamin on October 29, the NST-IAC is tasked to oversee the “development, promotion, and implementation of sports tourism initiatives, including the bidding for and hosting of strategic, high-level, and high-impact international sporting events, and the facilitation of large-scale domestic sports tourism activities.”

The order cited the need to establish an inter-agency body to promote sports tourism while maintaining the government’s policy of non-interference in the international affairs of national sports associations.

According to the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), sports tourism serves as a “vital tool for economic growth, cultural exchange, and global recognition.” AO No. 38 quoted the PSC as saying that strengthening sports tourism “will not only enhance the Philippines’ position as a premier international sports destination, but also generate employment, attract investments, stimulate local economies, and contribute to infrastructure and tourism development.”

The NST-IAC will be chaired by the PSC, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) as vice-chair. Its members include the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

Two private sector representatives from the tourism industry will also be appointed by the chair and vice-chair as members. The committee may invite other agencies, local government units (LGUs), and relevant stakeholders as observers or resource persons.

The NST-IAC will advise the President on government plans and programs related to sports tourism. It is also mandated to identify and pursue bids for hosting major international sporting events, lead funding allocations for such bids, ensure that sports infrastructure development aligns with national laws and plans, and formulate a comprehensive sports tourism development plan.

AO No. 38 also cited the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, which highlights the importance of increasing the country’s participation in global events and investment missions to strengthen its international image and boost tourism growth.