Tourism Congress to promote Phl as a "must experience" destination

CEBU, Philippines - Aside from promising the Department of Tourism (DOT) to help achieve its target to achieve the 10 million tourist arrivals in the next four years, the Tourism Congress has also announced its move to help the Philippine tourism to be a “must experience” destination in Asia.

Tourism Congress is one of the strongest private sector voices for tourism industry in the Philippines.

The organization’s president Marceline Clemente said that the Philippine tourism has a strong potential to out-do the established tourism destinations in Asia like Thailand, if the government and private sector will join their hands in making the country as the top travel destination for foreign tourists all over the world.

Expressing belief on the magic effect of the newly introduced Philippine branding for tourism—“It’s More Fun in The Philippines,” Clemente said the “Tourism Congress” will jointly work with the DOT on implementing programs that would fast track the growth and maximize the country’s potential in raking double revenue generation in the tourism industry.

Part of the plan is to help the government develop tourism programs that would emphasize the development on environmentally and socially responsible tourism sector, at the same time deliver employment opportunities.

Together, Clemente said the Philippines would be able to lead in terms of growth in the tourism industry in Asia, in making sure that every tourist visiting the country, should say that the Philippines is a “must experience destination.”

Based on estimate, the Philippines is up to rake a total tourism expenditure receipts of US$9.2 billion by 2016 if 10 million tourists will be visiting the country. This is calculated based on the average expenditure per tourist of US$100 per day.

The domestic travelers on the other hand, could contribute at least an estimate of P1.8 trillion tourism receipts, if 35 million Filipinos will be traveling in the different tourism destination around the country, in a average stay of four nights.

A Filipino traveler, taking a vacation for four days, can spend about P11,166 per trip. If the new DOT arrival target by 2016, to hit the 10 million foreign visitors, and 35 million domestic arrivals, the Philippines is seen to make tourism as its strong economic back-bone, said DOT undersecretary for tourism planning and promotions Daniel G. Corpuz.

Corpuz expressed confidence that the Philippines will be able to achieve the arrival targets in the next four years, not only because of the active participation of the private sector, but also for the new branding campaign of the Philippines, which also attracted participation from ordinary Filipino citizens, including those that are based in other countries.  (FREEMAN)