Use what we do "best"

In a backhanded sort of way, we could say that Filipinos are very good at “critical thinking”; they have no problem criticizing things. They criticize each other, their government, their leaders, their artists, their environment and their culture. If we were not afraid of being struck down deaf and blind, we might even cross the line and start criticizing GOD. Right now we merely blame him.

 I guess the only situations where we don’t criticize others is when there are repercussions or someone can bite off our face in reaction or retaliation to our criticism.

 So how do we put a negative trait to good use?

 Last week the Department Of Tourism launched their slogan: “Its More Fun In The Philippines”. As expected, the usual numbers of critics surfaced and expressed their opinion, some in fact posted what they thought were better versions or twists to the DOT product. Instead of killing the campaign, the critical thinkers actually added life if not fire to it. So we are all in agreement that the Philippines gives us enough reason to travel and visit it’s many destinations.

 That is where the “Critical Thinkers” can be tapped by the DOT as we move on from selling the product to testing the product. The DOT should now enlist the “Critical Thinkers” into actually arranging a trip or trips around the Philippines, go on the trip and then write all about the bad stuff in a DOT sponsored on-line site.

 Secretary Mon Jimenez of the DOT should stop his people from going on “FAM tours” or Familiarization Tours. Instead let them run the website where people can travel and then report back about their experience and complaints or suggested improvements.

 By doing this, the DOT as well as LGUs and Tourism related business owners could glean as much information on what they are doing wrong or what their customers like or dislike. Part of the problem with “tourism destinations” is that they are dependent on backyard or self-made “professionals” without the necessary exposure, training or are resistant to doing things properly.

 Since there won’t be any direct repercussion or retaliation, people will tend to be open and generous about their comments particularly if they have to pay for food and accommodations.

 The DOT can then go back to the LGU’s and operators and require them to upgrade or improve their facilities, which in turn should have some sort of incentive to it such as special mentions or features in DOT programs and campaigns.

 Whether you are the one giving or receiving criticism, the real value is whether we are able to use the criticism in order to improve and promote things. If criticism merely hurts or insults then the criticism deteriorates into an insult.

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 Is Cebu ready to take the Lion’s share?

 As the Sinulog festival fast approaches, the question to ask is; should tourism in Cebu continue to be a seasonal concern or should it be a year-round business concerns for the Province and it’s people?

 In the many times, I’ve visited Cebu, I now that the Province is especially blessed by being relatively modern and conveniently “touristy”. The more you ask or study about its different towns, features and products, the more you realize that there are so many more things to do in Cebu.

 With exports suffering a slump for so many years, Cebu needs to develop a strong alternative product that will have buyers both local and international. Right now Tourism is the answer, but the province and all its leaders need to get together and agree to actively push for this. Instead of just being one of the many destinations promoted by the DOT, the Province of Cebu needs to launch its own local and international campaign as it has done in the past.

 Cebu needs to restudy, reorganize and redesign towards tourism. Mayors and Barangay Captains need to be called in to participate and prioritize tourism development in terms of Traffic, Safety, Cleanliness and Training their communities about how to deal and handle tourists as well as how to get into the many tourism services required in hosting visitors.

 In other words, unless Cebu and Cebuanos make Tourism development their business and their priority, they will probably miss out in spite of their many advantages. Cebu has so much to offer, Cebuanos have the language skills and temperament for hosting and running tourism businesses. But they all have to want to be in the business and be the market leader in the business.

 Go Cebu!

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