Newly appointed Department of Tourism Undersecretary Stanley K. Ng takes his oath before Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay in Manila. Ng, a former Philippine Airlines executive, brings aviation industry experience to the tourism department. – Photo from Department of Tourism Philippines
Aviation executive brings private-sector experience to Department of Tourism as Philippines pursues long-term visitor growth.
MANILA — Former Philippine Airlines president and chief operating officer Stanley K. Ng has been appointed undersecretary at the Department of Tourism, bringing decades of aviation and corporate leadership experience to an agency seeking to expand visitor arrivals and strengthen the country’s tourism industry.
Ng previously led Philippine Airlines through a period marked by the recovery of international travel, route restoration and renewed passenger demand. In 2025, the airline announced a leadership transition in which Richard Nuttall succeeded Ng as president, while Ng moved to PAL Holdings as vice president and member of the board.
The appointment adds an executive with extensive airline and transportation experience to the tourism department at a time when connectivity remains a critical factor in the growth of the visitor economy. Industry observers have long identified air access, regional connectivity and transportation infrastructure as key components in attracting both international and domestic travelers.
Ng joins the Department of Tourism under Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay, who assumed office earlier this year. The department has said its leadership team is focused on promoting a more competitive, inclusive and sustainable tourism sector while strengthening partnerships with stakeholders across the travel industry.
According to government data, the Philippines recorded 6.48 million foreign visitors and returning overseas Filipinos in 2025, generating approximately P694 billion in tourism receipts. While tourism activity has continued to recover in recent years, officials have emphasized the need to broaden access to destinations and increase tourism-related investments across the country.
Ng’s appointment reflects the close relationship between aviation and tourism in an archipelagic nation where air travel serves as the primary gateway to many destinations. His experience in airline operations, route development and transportation management is expected to bring a private-sector perspective to the department as it pursues long-term tourism growth.
