Visayas journalists visit Malacañang for briefing

CEBU, Philippines - Some 40 journalists based in the Visayas and other areas with rich tourism potentials are coming to Manila tomorrow for a media briefing at the Heroes Hall of Malacañang, signaling next week’s launch of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo’s weeklong tour of the Tourism Super Region.

“We have invited media personalities to the briefing, which will include an open forum with ranking officials of government agencies and cover the Philippine economy in general, tourism and other Super Regions,” the Office of the Press Secretary (OPS) said.

The Tourism Super Region tour, the fourth leg, is an integral part of the Arroyo administration’s development strategy meant to spur national economic growth in the countryside.

The President embarked on the five-Super Region tour three weeks ago, starting with the Cyber Corridor consisting of major cities nationwide which as hosts to large information and communication firms and business process outsourcing corporations.

The second Super Regions covered by the presidential drive was the Urban Luzon Beltway consisting of South Luzon, CALABARZON, Metro Manila and Central Luzon regions envisioned as a major logistics and services hub in the Pacific-Asia rim that accounts for about $1 trillion of the estimated $3.5 trillion global logistics market.

This week, the Chief Executive traveled through Agribusiness Mindanao Super Region, meant to fortify the region’s distinction as “breadbasket of the Philippines.”

Citing government statistics, survey results and reports of various global think-tank groups, Palace officials indicated that Philippine tourism is a sunshine industry that can be optimized through the intervention of private business.

Deputy Spokesperson Ricardo Saludo told Malacañang reporters that government support services in the form of development infrastructures such as efficient road networks, upgraded seaports and airports, and continuing manpower training which are already in place would encourage investors to put up more hotels and resorts in the Philippines.

Director Dennis Arroyo of the National Economic and Development Authority who joined Saludo in yesterday’s regular media briefing, said domestic tourism grew by 21.2 percent in the first three quarters of 2009, while foreign arrivals posted 2.7 percent during the same period. - THE FREEMAN