PHL is on the right track in tourism goals despite setbacks — DOT's Jimenez

Despite the typhoons and adverse travel advisories impacting on tourism, the Department of Tourism will meet its targets for domestic and international arrivals as a result of private sector initiatives, the onset of "… ber months" and the relentless promotions on a theme of it's more fun in the Philippines, the Tourism chief said Friday.

 

"We are very much on track with our targets for the year," Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez Jr. told GMA News Online during the opening of the 24th Philippine Travel Mart at SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

 

Foreign tourist arrivals as of end-July reached 2.8 million or more than 50 percent of the target, he said.

 

The department recently reported an 11 percent increase in foreign visitor arrivals to 2,798,881 in January to July from a year earlier.

 

In terms of domestic tourism, Jimenez said we are already "ahead by 14 percent versus last year" at the end of summer. 

 

The DOT expects 5.5 million foreign 44 million local tourists this year.

 

'… Ber months'

 

Jimenez said the "… ber months" are usually the strongest for tourism — both international and domestic. "We will meet our goals if it follows the usual pattern," he said when asked if the country can still recoup the losses from cancelled flights because of inclement weather last month.

 

"Paglipas ng bagyo, bumabalik din ang mga turista," Jimenez noted.

 

In August, at least 170 international and domestic flights were canceled on account of the southwest monsoon that was worsened by Tropical Storm Maring (Trami), according to airline and goverment data, prompting local carriers to make refunds and waive re-booking fees. 

 

Jimenez said the Philippines as a tourist destination is open to all countries, including China. The two neighbors were locked in bitter territorial disputes over the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), particularly since the standoff over the Panatag Shoal erupted in April 2012.  

 

Protecting the image of the Philippines as a tourist destination, in line with the government's “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign, is key to keep foreign tourists coming, The Toursim chief noted.

 

"Kailangan nating panghawakan ang image ng Pilipinas, 'wag nating hayaan ang balita ang humubog ng imahe natin," he added.

 

On August 30, Assistant Secretary for International Tourism Promotions Benito Bengzon said travel advisories warning foreigners against crime and terrorism have not slowed down tourist arrivals, which reached nearly 2.5 million for the first half of the year.

 

Private sector initiative

 

Jimenez underscored the importance of private sector initiative not only in meeting government's target but also in creating more jobs for Filipinos. "A lot of the activities you see today is from the private sector," he said.

 

"Sa tourism, tagakumpas lang ang gobyerno, 'di po tayo gumugugol. We promote, we encourage and the result is exquisite," he added.

 

Expos, like the 24th Philippine Travel Mart, "is just an outcropping of all events which signals how good the year-end and succeeding year will be," according to the Tourism chief, saying the department is encouraging local air carriers to keep prices competitive in promoting domestic tourism.

 

"Kritikal ang pagbaba ng presyo, dahil ito... catalyst para mag-udyok na magbakasyon ang mga Pilipino," Jimenez said. — VS, GMA News