May 8, 2024
MANILA – President Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said he wants increased tourism between New Zealand and the Philippines.
Marcos received the newly designated New Zealand Ambassador to the Philippines Catherine Rosemary Mcintosh in Malacañan Palace.
“Filipinos would love to go to New Zealand. And I do believe that New Zealanders would like to see the Philippines as well,” Marcos said during the meeting.
“So, I think that’s another area of interest that we should explore and hope to promote in your stay here, ” Marcos added.
Marcos told Mcintosh that the Philippines is bolstering efforts for island connectivity, including enhancing smaller ports.
“We really are quite full. We need two new airports. We are in the process of building them but for now, I think the way to go is to provide access to the smaller regional airports, which are close to or within the tourist destination,” said Marcos.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon in April had an official visit to the Philippines, with the goal of boosting New Zealand businesses in Southeast Asia.