The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is an attached agency of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and was created by the Tourism Act of 2009 to implement policies and programs pertaining to the development, promotion, and supervision of tourism projects in the country.
Headed by Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, TIEZA’s primary functions include building tourism infrastructure; designating, regulating, and supervising Tourism Enterprise Zones; operating and managing TIEZA assets; and collecting the travel tax.
TIEZA brings development to areas with high cultural, historical, religious, heritage and/or eco-tourism values, helping shape a deep sense of awareness and pride for the Filipinos’ traditions, natural bounties, and uniqueness as a race. It restores and rehabilitates historical churches and landmarks, and constructs Tourism facilities in accordance with DOT’s National Tourism Development Plan.
Tourism Enterprise Zones attract private stakeholders to be shared partners in tourism development by offering them fiscal and non-fiscal incentives towards having their investments create jobs and economic activities for the local communities.
TIEZA operates and manages tourist facilities all over the country, offering services ranging from hotels and restaurants to specialized sports, such as golf and scuba diving. It also develops partnerships with the private sector and with local governments in the management of some of its assets.
The Travel Tax, which is levied on all passengers leaving the country, is collected by TIEZA. This is shared with the Commission on Higher Education (40 percent) and with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (10 percent). TIEZA’s 50 percent share is used for priority Tourism projects, activities, and programs.
TIEZA’s assets include the Light and Sound Museum in Intramuros where guests can retrace the life of our country’s national hero, Jose Rizal, through very interesting artworks, visuals, sounds, and robotics. The agency also manages Club Intramuros, a 66-par,18-hole golf course, with a driving range and a Clubhouse offering Filipino, American, and Spanish cuisines.
There is also the Banaue Hotel (with 81 rooms) and Youth Hostel (with 15 rooms) situated 4000 feet above sea level. Each of its de luxe and suite rooms has a balcony with majestic views of the rice terraces. Down south is the Malasag Eco-Tourism Village in Cugman, Cagayan de Oro which has a breathtaking view of the Macajalar Bay. Its gardens offer a colorful glimpse of its wildlife habitat and eco-community rolled into one.
Further down south is the Zamboanga Golf Course and Beach Park in Upper Calarian, 10 minutes away from Zamboanga City. It is an 18-hole, 72.6-par championship course with its front nine holes laid out on flat ground while the back nine are on slopes, with lush trees in between them. Right next to it is a one-kilometer stretch of beach for those who prefer the sun-sea-and-sand enjoyment.
Another asset of TIEZA is the Balicasag Island Dive Resort, a spherical island teeming with well-preserved marine life, located off the southwestern end of Panglao Island in Bohol. This property offers a stunning display of marine diversity and undisturbed nature with 22 duplex cottages and some dormitory rooms.
Last year, upon the request of the DOT, TIEZA built Tourist Rest Areas (TRA) in 10 locations all over the country, and 20 more are being built this year. Each of these TRAs has a clean and decent restroom, an Information Center, and a Pasalubong Center.
TIEZA recently celebrated its 15th anniversary, not counting the years when it was still the Philippine Tourism Authority. During such an event, COO Mark Lapid disclosed plans for the continuing development of Tourism infrastructure all over the country. He also gave out awards to tourism establishments that partnered with TIEZA in its various projects last year.
More information on TIEZA and its projects may be obtained from +632 8249 5000 local 739 to 741, or through [email protected]
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