‘Biz Tour 5′ program aims to lure 5M foreign tourists

philippines tourism Taking advantage of the bright prospects in the tourism industry, the country’s leading business sector aggressively launches its own vision that sees the progressive growth of the tourism sector in five years.

Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) president Samie Lim bared their program dubbed ‘PCCI Biz Tour 5′ aims to attract 5M foreign tourists into the country within five years.

Lim was one of the resource speakers that talked on ‘Branding Asia: Distinguishing the Asian Experience’ as the two-day Asean Tourism Congress kicked off yesterday initiated by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

“Bringing in 5M foreign tourists into the Philippines is an ambitious goal,” Lim admitted which is why the group is also counting on its 98 chapters nationwide including the CCCI to achieve its aim.

Foreign tourist arrivals into the country has steadily increased and based on the record by the Department of Tourism (DOT), the agency has surpassed its projected seven percent target of foreign tourist arrivals as last year, the rise in international tourist visitors reached 8.4 percent, this is learned.

Lim said bringing in 5M foreign tourists with the expectation that each tourist spends at least US $1,000 can generate P5B in annual tourism revenues and importantly provide 5M job opportunities in the tourism-related sector while P5B in investments is expected to come in with the boom of the tourism industry. All these positive gains can be seen after five years, Lim revealed.

But in order to lure 5M foreign tourists into the country, the 5As must be improved, Lim added. These are arrival (efficient services at airport and seaport, adequate facilities and tourist-friendly personnel etc.), access (roads and other basic infrastructure), accommodation (hotels and restaurants), attractions (natural and man-made) and activities (rest, recreation and education).

Lim on the other hand, told participants that we cannot brand Asia in attracting foreign visitors in our region but that each country within the region can complement each other. Each nation within the region cannot offer the same unique experiences a foreign tourist can get from a particular country, Lim ended.