The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) is an autonomous corporate entity attached to the Department of Tourism (DOT). The PTA was created on May 11, 1973 by virtue of Presidential Decree No. 189 (P.D. 189) synchronously with the DOT as the latter's development arm.

The PTA is envisioned to be a self-sustaining government corporation contributing to national development objectives, serving as the epitome of public service as it pioneers sustainable, environmentally responsible, socially responsive and culturally catalytic tourism development.

The PTA is committed to effectively and efficiently implement tourism development undertakings as guided by the following national development thrusts: cultural awakening, countryside development, environmental conservation, foreign exchange generation, employment creation, and poverty alleviation.

In pursuit of its mission as set in its revised Charter (P.D. 564), the Authority is mandated to perform the following functions:

• Develop identified tourism priority areas
• Operate, maintain and promote facilities in a pioneering capacity
• Provide technical and financial assistance to qualified tourism projects
• Generate revenues to fund national and corporate development undertakings