More views on tourism effort

We received a number of responses from readers on our last column on tourism (Still an uphill climb for RP tourism) published last Jan. 12, 2007. They cover different aspects of Philippine tourism, but all aspire to contribute something that will help improve the overall campaign to bring in more tourists into the country. Please read on.

"I am Amado C. Panes Jr., a former priest in South Cotabato. I am now residing in Davao del Norte.

"I’ve read your column yesterday and I can’t help it but appreciate your point on how it is still a huge work for our tourism people to do so our tourism industry will prosper and could equal if not surpass other Asian countries like Thailand and India.

"Where does tourism start? From the locality, of course. A place could be appreciated as beautiful first by the local residents then by people from the neighborhood, and in a way it could create a ripple.

"Tourism should start from the very heart of the Filipinos residing here in the more than 7,000-island country. Will a very young Filipino child appreciate his home? Maybe we can start there."

Bureaucratic hurdles for tourists

This one is from Brian Lewis, who comes to the Philippines regularly. His concern seems valid, and would best be heard by those at the Immigration department.

"As an old Shell man, I am always happy to read your column in The Star. I have been coming to Manila now for 37 years, and now live here from time to time, which now adds up to nine years in all.

"Regarding RP tourism, one aspect that always throws me is the reluctant 21-day tourist visa given by Immigration on most arrivals. Many people have at least four-week holiday a year, and some of us have Filipino wives. I am not sure why you should wish tourists to leave so fast as compared to other countries? OK, you can get the visa extended but that requires facing Philippine bureaucracy – a daunting task for an innocent tourist.

"I would like to suggest a tourist visa of rather longer duration, starting at 31 days, but perhaps as long as three months, or even six months. I have always suspected that the Philippines does not actually want too many foreigners here and that the visa policy is deliberate to keep them out!

"As I am married to a Filipina, the visa rules also vary without much rhyme or reason. Sometimes I am here on a 12-month balikbayan visa and at others on a 21-day visa, depending – but not always – on whether I am traveling with my wife or not.

"I was also confused in 2005 when I got a new ID card (as ordered) valid to 2006, and then was told that a valid ID had nothing to do with a visa! My valid ID was confiscated and I am now back to square one having arrived this time in September 2006, only three months ago.

"So my first action in becoming the "Tourist Tsar" would be to give tourist visas of 31 days and consider rather longer (terms) once the new system would seem to be operating well. I suspect more tourists would come in even without much new infrastructure if longer visas were given!"

Positive view on proposed tourism fee

Finally, Marciano C. Ragaza, a past president of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association, wrote to give his view as to the wisdom of the controversial $5 tourism fee as specified in the proposed Tourism Act.

"I cannot agree more in your observations of the plus and minuses of Philippine tourism in your Jan. 12, 2007 column. But allow me please to put in proper perspective the so-called Tourism Fee of $5 which is being opposed by a certain group.

"If you will read the provision pertaining to this item, you will see that it is different from what is being peddled by these so-called independent travel operators. I have reproduced only the pertinent article of Sec. 51 of the Senate version of the Tourism Bill.

"SEC. 51. Tourism Promotion and Development Fund. – The proceeds of the following shall be placed in a special Tourism Promotion and Development Fund to finance the activities of Tourism Philippines

1. A minimal tourism fee which shall initially not exceed $5) to be collected from foreign guests per night spent in accommodation establishments, to be collected by said establishments and remitted to Tourism Philippines. The amount shall be initially fixed and may be revised from time to time by the Board. In determining and reviewing the fee, the Board shall consider the level of accreditation of the establishment, its location and its market.

In no case shall promotions and marketing activities receive less than 50 percent of the annual utilization of the Fund. Not more than 10 percent of the Fund shall be used for all other administrative and operating expenses of Tourism Philippines. The unallocated portion of the Fund shall be utilized by the Tourism Philippines in coordination with the Department to fund manpower training programs, particularly the grant of scholarships to trainings and courses abroad to enhance local skills and knowledge relevant to tourism, heritage preservation, and infrastructure development, among others.

"As you will read, the $5 is the maximum being set by this bill. The levels will be determined by the Board based on the level of accreditation of the establishment, its location and its market. It would even be possible that the Board (composed of government and private sectors) will determine some hotels and resorts to be exempted from this fee.

"Unfortunately, the misconception created by this independent group created too much stir among the lawmakers that this has now become one of the contentious issues in the Senate and House versions of the bills. It is sad, as this would have provided us the necessary funds without burden to government of at least trying to catch up with the tourism war chest for marketing and other developmental activities of our ASEAN neighbors.

"With regards to the serious concern that ‘... it will just be used to pay for bureaucratic costs rather than for developmental activities,’ we can say the same of any tax or revenue generating programs of the government. Any tax for that matter will or can fall under this suspicion but is that a valid reason to reject all taxes then?"

As many would say, paying taxes is just like death, it’s inevitable. Accepting the inevitable may be easy; but seeing it go to waste is painful. And as of now, tax leakages and wastages abound.

Promoting non-wager poker tournaments

Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) is the leading advocate of non-wager poker tournaments in the country. PPT’s objective is to provide the growing number of poker enthusiasts with opportunities to get exposed to competitive situations where skills and insights about the game may be developed.

Poker tournaments are just like tournaments in golf, badminton, tennis, bridge, chess, etc. where one participates and pays the required fees and competes for the prizes at stake. Instead of using golf clubs, racquets, or balls, one uses cards and chips in poker to try and beat his competitors.

The most popular poker game in a tournament is Texas Hold’em. It is simple to learn but as one plays it, one starts to recognize the complexities involved. Similar to chess or backgammon, there are so many permutations and combinations to consider in addition to knowing or understanding how your opponent or opponents would react to certain situations.

With several tournament lined up by Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) and other groups for 2007, there are requests for some guidance on how to prepare or conduct oneself in such competition of poker skills.

Visit Philippine Poker Tour (PPT) official website, www.PhilippinePokerTour.com, for tips on tournament play, announcements of major poker events for this year and latest news in the poker game world.

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.