Benito C. Bengzon, Jr.

Undersecretary, Philippine Department of Tourism

Undersecretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr. is a graduate of B.S. Hotel and Restaurant Administration at the University of the Philippines where he was awarded Most Outstanding Alumnus in 2012. He took his Masters in Business Administration at the Ateneo Graduate School of Business as well as Masters in National Security Administration at the National Defense College of the Philippines where he was cited Most Outstanding Alumnis in 2003.

When he joined the Philippine Department of Tourism, he was initially involved in planning, product research and development, and investment promotions. Thereafter, he was posted in Tokyo as Tourism Attaché. Upon his recall to Head Office, he was asked to take the lead in the Marketing Teams for Japan, Middle East and Asia-Pacific. Subsequently, he was appointed Assistant Secretary for International Tourism Promotion and succeedingly became Undersecretary for Tourism Development.

His experience in the Department of Tourism has strongly built in him an ardent dedication to inclusive and sustainable tourism development, being an integral part of the local and international campaign to promote the Philippines around the globe. As the Department’s spokesperson from 2010-2016 and until now, he continues to champion how tourism can become an avenue in empowering locals to create and improve products and services that will contribute to the beautification and preservation of their communities.

Among his other duties and responsibilities in the Department, he serves the Tourism Secretary as alternate in the Board of the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board and the Philippine Commission on Sports and scuba Diving and is likewise a member of the following organizations: the ASEAN National Tourism Organization, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, World Tourism Organization, Pacific Asia Travel Association, World Travel and Tourism Council, Farm Tourism Development Board, National Ecotourism Development Council and the National Ecotourism Steering Committee.