01 September 2003
Gordon: Revitalizing RP Tourism
Tourim Secretary Richard Gordon is spearheading rosters of strong tourism programs including the opening of new attractions to improve the country's image and attract more tourists and investors in order to boost economic growth in the country.
Gordon assured the foreign tourists on the political stability in the Philippines, reiterating that the country is still a safe destination for tourists. He said that "compared to Thailand which had 17 coups over 60 years, the Philippines experienced four coups over 17 years and the coup attempts in the country were bloodless."
To prove that the country is safe, the Department of Tourism executive noted the recent visits of celebrities and heads of states in the country such as Queen Sophia of Spain, Prime Minister John Howard of Australia, President of Ukraine and Fil-American Hollywood celebrities Tia Carrere and Lou Diamond Phillips.
Gordon also assured the security of tourists in the country. He said the crime rate in the Philippines in the past years was lower than the other countries. Based on the crimes reported to the PNP excluding non-index crimes such as armed conflict and kidnappings by the Abbu Sayyaf, the crime rate in the Philippines was 98.8; Thailand with 253.53; USA 4,160.51; Hong Kong 1,085.64; Japan 2,209.58; and Spain with 2,365.00.
He stressed that the problem in the country is not peace and order but the stigmatization of Asia as unsafe tourism destination.
As chairman of Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and regional representative for World Tourism Organization for East Asia and the Pacific, he urged the member countries to commit itself to a culture of tourism namely to attract, assure and take full responsibility for the tourist's experience. He mentioned the list of priority agenda in Tourism Recovery Program to increase the country's tourist arrival.
To reach the 2.2 million target this year, The Department of Tourism will conduct a nationwide contest for the top producing provinces or highly urbanized cities based on growth rate. A province which invited the biggest number of foreigh visitors can win PHP 5Million based on the targetted arrival for year 2003.
Gordon has intesified DOT's campaign for investments for new destinations. Among the priority destinations to be developed as tourism economic zones are: Apo Island, Batanes, Pagudpud, Bohol, Cebu, Palawan, Samal, Eden Natures Park in Davao. The government is also prioritizing Donsol as a tourism economic zone and plans to put up an airport and 200-room hotel or ship for floating accommodation for tourist and also provide one helicopter in the area.
A nationwide cleanliness program is also part of Gordon's tourism recovery program. He urged the public to "use the continued threat of SARS as an excuse to clean-up the country and maintain and monitor institutionalized new health/SARS protocol in all ports of entry and tourism establishments specially hotels, resorts, restaurants, etc.
He disclosed that Intramuros is a model of how domestic tourism can generate revenues and can generate jobs. Since the opening of the Visit Philippines 2003, It has generated more than 3,000 jobs in the different activity locations and total sales of more than P50million from February 1 up to present or an average monthly sales of P6,033.771.
To institutionalize the "Intramuros concept" nationwide, Gordon announced his plans to open new attractions which include the re-opening of Paskuhan Village dubbed as "Hilaga"; Imus Museum which will create the battles of Imus, Binakayan and Alapan; Luneta Boardwalk; Philippine Cultural Villages like Fort San Pedro in Cebu, Fort del Pilar in Zamboanga and Lake Lanao in Marawi City.
Part of the marketing efforts of the Department is to sell affordable year round historical tour packages such as baywalk tours, Freedom Trail (Luneta- Intramuros - Imus - Tejeros - Maragondon - Kawit) ; Calumpit, Malolos Bulican Constitutional Tours; World War II (Corregidor - Bataan - Capas - Kiangan) ; Tunnels under churches ( Trece Martires, Sarrat, Tayabas); Pampanga Churches and museums and other destinations.
The Department of Tourism will aso prioritize conservation tours, river tours, agri-tours, church tours, RoRo packages and special tour packages in the tourism recovery program including the Best Dives, Best Beaches and Wild Reef.
Gordon also announced the forthcoming big tourism events for 2003-2004 such as the All Star Cast "Peace thru Tourism" Concert; WOW Philippines competitions showcasing the Best of the Philippines; International Dive Festival in November; 2nd Global Filipino Networking Convention on December 25- January 1,2004; International Fireworks Competition on December 25,2003 to January 1,2004. and Young Presidents Organization (YPO) Adventure Club activities.
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