The completion of the ongoing expansion of Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport early next year is expected to strengthen tourism and improve the accessibility of Eastern Visayas, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said on Monday.

DOT Eastern Visayas Regional Director Rina Apostol said the upgraded airport would provide better facilities and greater passenger capacity, creating opportunities to attract more visitors, including international travelers.

“Improved airport facilities and greater passenger capacity would help make the region more accessible and create opportunities to welcome more travelers, including those from international markets,” Apostol told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview.

Eastern Visayas recorded approximately 2.81 million overnight guests and 6.51 million same-day visitors in 2025, reflecting the region’s substantial tourism activity and potential for further growth, she said.

Despite limitations in existing air connectivity, Apostol noted that the region continues to attract visitors drawn to its natural attractions, cultural heritage and local tourism offerings.

“With improved airport infrastructure and connectivity, we hope to reach more travelers and open up greater opportunities for our tourism stakeholders, local businesses, and communities,” she said.

The official issued the statement after Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez inspected the ongoing expansion of Tacloban airport on Oct. 23, 2026, assuring the public that construction is targeted for completion in February 2027.

The project is being accelerated under the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to make the upgraded airport available to passengers before Holy Week next year.

“The President has instructed us to fast-track construction of Tacloban Airport so that more passengers and tourists can benefit from it by Holy Week next year. The improvements will not only provide greater convenience to travelers but also help boost Tacloban’s economy and tourism once the airport becomes operational,” Lopez said.

The expansion includes a larger passenger terminal building, which will increase in floor area from 2,142 square meters to 33,498 square meters. Its passenger capacity will rise from 595 to 1,600.

The runway is also being extended from 2,142 meters to 2,500 meters to improve the airport’s operational capacity.

To streamline passenger processing and boarding, the airport will have 22 check-in counters, up from the current three, and three boarding bridges to facilitate passenger boarding and disembarkation.

The control tower is also being upgraded from a six-story to a nine-story structure to enhance airport operations and safety.

Apostol said improved accessibility would allow more travelers to discover the region’s diverse destinations and cultural heritage while creating greater opportunities for tourism stakeholders and local communities.

“Eastern Visayas has so much to offer, and better accessibility will allow more visitors to discover more to love in our region—from its diverse destinations and rich cultural heritage to the unique experiences that make Eastern Visayas worth exploring,” she said.

Once completed and operational, the upgraded Tacloban airport is expected to strengthen regional connectivity, support tourism development and generate more economic opportunities across Eastern Visayas. (PNA)