A breath of fresh air

Amid all the political and social turmoil that jolted us for the most part of last year, the tourism industry was one of the few sources of pride and good news.

Of course, ours cannot yet compare with the billion-dollar tourism industry of Thailand, but with the growing number in tourist arrivals coupled with the relentless overseas marketing initiatives, the industry is fast making a dent, albeit, still a minor one, on the global tourism market.

Tourism promotion campaigns conducted in emerging but promising and lucrative markets such as China and even Russia have solidly boosted the viability of the local tourism industry.

In the China mission alone, records will show that there is a steady and significant increase in the number of mainland Chinese tourists. In addition, several innovative tourism-related programs such as the English and Second Language tourism program have likewise brightened up and made the local tourism industry more exciting.

Hence, as early as October, tourist arrivals had breached the two million mark, a feat that, with sustained government and private sector support, would definitely soar in the coming years. There are a few things, though, that need priority attention if the potential of this sector is to be optimized.

Airports, airports, airports

There is a growing list of disgusted, disappointed travelers who have to endure departure and arrival procedures in a rotting relic that is the Manila Domestic Terminal.

Boracay, Palawan and Bohol may be heavenly, paradise-like destinations, but before reaching these places, tourists have to pass through the Manila Domestic Terminal, considered a "hell hole" when compared with the more modern domestic terminals of our neighboring countries.

Of course, those who are flying Philippine Airlines (PAL) are spared these agonies and frustrations. Talk about level-playing field competition.

Operate naia iii

There is a way out of this embarrassing domestic travel situation. Operate and open the NAIA Terminal III for business and the revenues it will generate be held in escrow in the meantime until the legal disputes are settled once and for all. The existing NAIA I can then be converted to a Domestic Terminal. Then many more travelers would be happy other than those forced to take PAL to avoid the current "hell hole" domestic terminal.

Gordon’s promises

Paging Sen. Dick Gordon. I recall during the 2004 elections, Gordon – who headed the Tourism department prior to seeking a Senate seat – vowed to champion the cause of tourism in the legislative branch.

Gordon, in his news releases, stated that he would enact measures that would lead to the modernization or construction of airports in key tourist destinations in his bid to create even more jobs through this promising industry. Here’s hoping Gordon fulfills his promise to be the tourism industry’s knight in shining armor in the Senate.

Going after China and Russia

A few years after setting up a tourism promotion office in Beijing, China, the Tourism department last year trained their sights on yet another erstwhile underdeveloped and non-traditional tourist market – Russia.

With an estimated six million outbound tourists spending some $4 billion each year, the Russia project looms as yet another promising tourism goldmine – like the China experience.

Only around 1,500 Russians were issued tourist visas by the Philippine embassy in Moscow during the year, way below the 60,000 who opted to spend their holidays in South East Asian tourism giant Thailand.

But our tourism officials are confident that the numbers will rise. And if plans don’t get disrupted, the tourism department may be aggressively tapping other non-traditional markets this year, such as the Middle East or India.

Encouraging numbers and statistics kept coming out in terms of tourist arrivals. The tourism department figures reveal that as of the end of October 2005, tourist arrivals reached 2.1 million or just half a million shy of the 2005 target of 2.6 million. The figure for the first 10 months of last year was 13.6 percent higher than figures for the same period in 2004.

And with the usual expected Christmas travelers – both balikbayan and foreigners – coming in, Tourism Secretary Durano has every reason to beam with confidence that the 2.6 million target can be achieved, if not surpassed.

Other key markets with marked increase in October 2005 arrivals versus October 2004 arrivals were Korea, from 29,445 to 42,044; Japan, from 28,646 to 32,748 and the United States, from 36,232 to 39,781.

Supporting a culture of tourism

In addition, I also mentioned in a previous piece that the World Tourism Organization has lauded the tourism promotion efforts of the Philippines and vowed to help. The WTO technical cooperation division said it will extend assistance to the DOT in identifying and exploring other potential markets in Europe such as Spain, Germany, France, Sweden, Finland and Norway.

The tourism potential of the country can be realized if the Filipino people continue nurturing a culture of tourism. Let me reiterate that it is every Filipino’s role to boost our tourism industry by taking care not only of the tourist attractions in one’s vicinity, but making sure that the tourists that visit them are made to feel welcome, comfortable and safe. Let’s treat them right, lest others will – and pocket the income that would have been ours.

Of course, a no-nonsense, integrated government support must also be in place. Conducting more promotions programs in potential big markets – including fixing our airports and other tourism related projects – are required steps in the right direction this 2006.

Biggest non-wager poker tournament

With the recent announcement of the start of registration for the Philippine Poker Tour Million-Peso Hold’em Philippine Championship, to date the country’s biggest non-wager tournament, enquiries have been received from foreign poker players who would like to come and participate. Surely the total guaranteed prizes amounting to P1.6 million makes the competition an event not to be missed by those who seek competitive poker play.

On the local front, satellite tournaments are now ongoing at accredited sites such as the San Mig Bar at Alabang Town Center where poker enthusiasts from that part of town start pitting each others skills every Wednesday evening starting at 7 p.m. The winner of the table satellite competition earns a guaranteed seat to the Main Event of the Million-Peso Hold’em Philippine Championship scheduled on 8th and 9th April 2006 at the Airport Casino Filipino Parañaque.

There are two ways to participate in this search for the Philippine Hold’em Champion – one is by joining satellite tournaments and winning a guaranteed seat to the main event of the competition, and the other is to pay the tournament fee for an outright seat for the main event.

Those interested may visit www.PhilippinePokerTour.com <http://www.philippinepokertour.com/> or www.PokerClubofthePhilippines.com <http://www.pokerclubofthephilippines.com/>, or call the Secretariat (c/o Cindy) at 817-9092 or 812-0153 for more details.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com or at reygamboa@linkedge.biz. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz