Over the previous six months (July-December 2003), the DOT ranked number two in terms of performance garnering a net satisfaction score of 58.6, with 74.4 percent satisfied and 15.8 percent not satisfied. Noting that Philippine tourism is showing signs of recovery, bringing in P4.442 billion in estimated revenues.
Senatorial candidate and former Tourism Secretary Dick Gordon cites that in January 2004 foreign tourist arrivals reached 177,713 signifying a 16-percent increase over tourist arrival in January 2003 which was pegged at 153,059.
Gordon pointed out that with each tourist spending an average of at least $500, this would translate into direct infusion of $88 million to the Philippine economy.
Tourist arrivals have been steadily increasing since October 2003 and in December, the number of arrivals reached a historic high of 238,316 – almost 20 percent higher that in December when 191,072 foreign tourists arrived in the country.
It was noted that, that arrivals in January 2004 were composed mainly of nationals from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and Taiwan.
Gordon cited that even with minimum funding for tourist promotion and the negative publicity created by the failed coup and SARS, tourist arrivals reached a record high in December 2003. He explained that with a bit more funding, tourists arrivals could easily grow to more than four times the highest annual tourist arrival of 2.2 million.
"But to accommodate this, we must have the infrastructure. We envision a time when tourists from all over the world can land at a Silay International airport or at Caticlan international airport. We must have more direct international flights to places near our best tourist sports and tourists must be able to travel with ease between these places," Gordon said.