EDITORIAL - Best foot forward

Roads are being smoothly repaved and traffic islands are being repaired and repainted. Starting today, traffic is also being rerouted as part of a dry run while the area around the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex is being saturated with cops for the 45^th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank. The gathering, to be held next week at the Philippine International Convention Center, with some events scheduled at the SMX, will be attended by top officials not just of the ADB but also of other major institutions involved in development aid.

It is good to put one’s best foot forward when there are guests, but it will be even better if all the ongoing improvements can be sustained beyond the ADB meeting. Well-paved roads, clean and attractive surroundings, smooth traffic flow – for all and not just for visiting VIPs – and safety in city streets should be the norm rather than reserved for special occasions.

The country’s successful hosting of the ADB meeting can bolster Philippine efforts to host similar events in the future and consequently attract more travelers. The best advertisement for any country is word of mouth, based on the personal experiences of those who have been here.

With that in mind, there should be a continuing effort to make Metro Manila and the rest of the country a better place to live and visit. Last year, over three million people visited the Philippines. Their accounts of their experiences here would go a long way in bringing in more visitors.

The most popular travel destinations are those that are safe, clean, welcoming, and uniquely attractive all year round. Some destinations can host a major event such as the Olympic Games with minimal preparations and at the shortest notice. That is what the Philippines should aspire for, beyond hosting the ADB meeting. A country that is livable for its own citizens is also an ideal place for foreigners to visit.