Philippine Tourism
2007 breakthrough year for Philippine tourism, tourism secretary says
MANILA, Philippines - The continued depreciation of the dollar has not affected the country's tourism industry.
The year 2007 was even a year of breakthroughs for Philippine tourism, with the number of foreign arrivals breaching the three million mark, said Department of Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano last week.
“Before last year, tourists in the country only numbered 1.7 to 1.9 million,” Durano said in a press conference in Manila, adding that the department focused on tourist-rich markets in North Asia such as Korea and China.
However, Durano said that it was more important to note how tourists infused a whopping US$4.8 billion into the country's economy in 2007.
The tourism chief said that prior to 2004, tourists only spent a total of US$2 billion in the Philippines.
“We are targeting the same markets this year, but with more emphasis on value rather than volume,” Durano said, explaining that value meant convincing tourists to spend more money and stay longer in the country.
Durano gave as an example the European market, which he described as one of the country's best-performing markets in 2007.
“Europeans stay for two to three weeks in the country, spending more than other tourists who stay here for only a number of days,” Durano said, noting that the Russian market grew by 128 percent in 2007.
“We will be pushing for high-value tourism such as shopping and wellness services,” he added.
Durano said that for 2008, the department would be focused on the opening of new projects and properties such as hotels and infrastructure.
The DOT would also work for more direct flights to the provinces such as in Aklan and Palawan to encourage more tourists to visit the country's “poster spots,” the tourism chief said.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
Comments
Should our tourism industry support the idea of inviting foreigners to visit our country during Lent so they can witness (1) fanatics who line up to be literally crucified in Pampanga (2)people who carry heavy crosses walking barefoot all the way to a Lourdes Shrine in Bulacan (3) people who flagelate themselves publicly in the streets. I ask these questions because though I am only a layman, I believe the Catholic Church does not approve of such practices. Should there be an all out publicity on these traditions or should the Church and the tourist industry try to play them down? Any comments?
No offense to the current host of Travel Time on TFC, her low-sounding voice fits better in a horror or sci-Fi show. She maybe savvy on tourism but broadcast media, especially one on travel and tourism, needs an inviting not threatening voice. I have watched most travel channels in the US- (Discovery, NatGeo, and Travel Channel)and haven't heard a voice as low as Ms.Medina's. She can coach and delegate the hosting to another talent with a more effeminate voice.
Sectretary Durano can tap and harness our various cultural and tribal dances into one great spectacle to attract tourists to visit our island nation. Most tourist only know that we have thousands of islands but are unaware that each island has its own provincial , regional, or tribal dances which are always a spectacle to see. If Brazil has its carnivals, the US its Disneyland and thanksgiving parade, the Philippines has its parade of cultural and tribal dances that will dazzle even the most discriminating tourists.
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