Measures to protect tourists urged

Manila Rep. Amado S. Bagatsing called on the Aquino administration to swiftly take definite steps to protect tourists from harassment and criminal elements in order to realize the country’s target of six million tourist arrivals by 2016.

In a privilege speech, Bagatsing said government must lead and inspire all sectors of Philippine society as it makes an attempt to exploit the competitive advantages of the country over its neighbors that have edged out Philippines in tourist arrivals.

“Isn’t it ironic that the Philippines, having the most competitive advantages among other Asian countries, is at the bottom of tourist arrivals in Southeast Asia?” asked Bagatsing in a speech before Congress.

Bagatsing, chairman of the House Committee on Games and Amusement, cited four of the largely unexploited competitive advantages of the country as follows: 1) The Philippines has a warm, friendly and English-speaking population which allows foreign tourists to communicate easily and find their way around; 2) interesting cultural resources; 3) rich natural resources; 4) and a low cost of living in the country.

But despite the competitive advantages of the country which boasts of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, Broadway Asian star Lea Salonga, and singing sensation Charice Pempengco; Bagatsing lamented that the Philippines lags behind neighboring countries in tourism.

“Authorities in areas frequented by tourists should closely monitor the situation as unpleasant encounters by foreign tourists with criminals and con men could translate into fewer tourist arrivals and thus less tourist receipts in the future,” Bagatsing said.

“Singapore, despite being such a very small country, had 11.6 million tourist arrivals in 2010. Indonesia, a hugely-Muslim land garnered 7 million; while Thailand had a sizeable 15.8M,” said Bagatsing.

“Malaysia, another Muslim country, thus having more cultural restrictions, attracted a whopping 24.5M tourists; Vietnam, an almost same-size country with 17% lower GDP per capita than the Philippines, captured 5 million! The Philippines? Only 3.5 million arrivals for last year.”

Bagatsing said the advantages are negated by at least three competitive disadvantages, namely poor airport facilities, requiring Chinese and Indian tourists to secure Philippine visas, and the country’s weak and non-cohesive tourism marketing and product development.

“Getting the worst airport standing in 2011 is a nightmare. Descriptions pertaining to Terminal 1 sound like – ‘bombed-out ruin,’ ‘bribery and corruption is rife and the scams start the minute you walk off the plane,’ ‘lines insanely long’ and ‘four attendants hassled me for a tip,’” said Bagatsing.

He said the Philippines is far behind Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur whose airports have become major tourist and local attractions by themselves.

“On the recently-declared a pocket open skies policy – are we really dead-serious to make this work or will this be another lip service policy? Where are the actual applications for more flights and seats from foreign airlines? Foreign airlines are actually pulling out due to exorbitant taxes and airport fees.”

On the second disadvantage, Bagatsing noted that from January to December 2010, the country only had 187,446 Chinese and 32,817 Indian visitors because of the visa requirement arising from a misplaced security concern.

“If we start issuing them visa upon arrival and develop Chinese and Indian-centric tourism offerings and developments, we might just get at least 1% of their population to visit our country – that’s 13 million tourist arrivals coming from China and 4 million coming from the 400 million rich Indians!”

“The last competitive disadvantage, is our weak and non-cohesive Tourism Marketing and Product Development. Taglines such as ‘Malaysia, truly Asia,’ ‘Amazing Thailand’ and ‘Incredible India’ have been so popular,” he said.

“Singapore has continuously developed attractions such as the 2011 Grand Prix and the Great Singapore Sale among others to lure tourists to their country even for a short vacation to catch these events.”

Bagatsing said that by exploiting the Philippines’ competitive advantages and addressing the disadvantages, then the 4.5 billion dollar in tourism receipts and 7.7 million jobs for the Philippines may just be around the corner.

“We might even exceed the 6 million tourist arrival target for 2016.It is time to put our act together and work in harmony. Prosperity of the Philippines is not just the work of the government but of the whole nation. Let’s do it, Team Philippines!”

Source - mb.com.ph