05 March 2004 Consultation with the private sector tops list of new DOT chief
Barely one week in the Department, newly appointed Roberto "Obet" Pagdanganan gears up with task as tourism secretary with a series of meetings with the private sector.
Pagdanganan, who was appointed tourism secretary in replacement of now senate contender Richard Gordon, pushes for consultation with the private sector? as a major agenda of his administration. Through the series of consultation, Pagdanganan vows to build on the "WOW Philippines" achievements to reach 1.2 million arrivals target by end of June this year.
The biggest arrival recorded by the Philippines was 2.2 million tourists in 1997. Pagdanganan believes that if 1.2 million can be achieved by June, it will be easier for the industry to hit the other million before end of the year.
Pagdanganan said, ?It is about time we give recognition to the industry that plays a big role in improving our economy but is often time neglected. Through consultation with the private sector we will be able to share ideas with the prime movers in the industry on how we can maximize the benefits of tourism.? He added ?Our end goal is to make farmers future tourists?. Pagdangan was former secretary of Agrarian Reform.
Last year, arrivals recorded some 1.9 million tourists, 32,000 short of the 2002 annual figures. Decrease was linked to war in Iraq and the outbreak of SARS in 2003 that greatly affected tourism in the region.
Optimistic about tourism in 2004, the private sector backs the new secretary?s tourism initiatives. An active tourism stakeholder and one of the industry pioneers, Ms. Leila Salgado of Pacific Rent-A-Car expressed strong support to the newly appointed tourism chief. ?This is the first time that we have a Secretary who listens to our every plea? said Salgado during the first general Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation (PCVC) Membership Meeting, the second of consultative meetings chaired by Pagdanganan.
Improved package tours, promotional tie-ups, increased airport access and frequency were among the major issues discussed.
The meeting was attended by transport and tour operators, airline representatives, resort and hotel owners.
