Marcos to decide if 'It's more fun' slogan will stay —incoming DOT chief

It is up to President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. whether to retain or replace the Department of Tourism's  (DOT) "It's more fun in the Philippines" slogan, incoming Tourism Secretary Cristina Frasco said Tuesday.

"We recognize the proposals and plans for continuity. All of these plans and programs including the branding will be presented to the president-elect as he will be the one to set the vision for our country in all aspects including tourism," Frasco said in an ANC interview when asked if the incoming administration will retain the current tourism slogan.

According to Frasco, Marcos is interested in improving the overall tourist experience in the country whether domestic or foreign tourism.

To ensure the recovery of the tourism sector from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Frasco said the government must "invest heavily" in infrastructure.

"I think that having a very, very strong foundation for the industry is very important, and that means investing heavily in infrastructure and as far as improving the connectivity and access to our tourist sites," she said.

"That means coordinating closely with relevant government agencies for the improvement of roads, bridges, access, seaports, airports as well as modes of public transportation," she added.

Apart from this, Frasco said the government must also integrate technology and innovation, as well as digitalization, into the tourism sector.

Frasco also said the government must adopt a multi-dimensional approach to tourism and capitalize on Filipinos' wealth of talent, as well as the products that the locals produce such as food, clothing, among others.

As observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Frasco said the government must provide social protection to tourism workers so they can feel the state intervention in times of need.

When Marcos offered her the post, Frasco said the president-elect did not ask for anything other than her commitment to help the administration in aiding the gravely affected workers of the tourism industry, as well as the tourism stakeholders.

The incoming Tourism chief said she had already sent a formal communication to outgoing Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat to initiate the transition process.

As she takes the Tourism chief post, Frasco, who got a fresh three-year term as Liloan mayor in the 2022 polls, said she expects continuity of programs and projects in the locality, considering that the vice mayor-elect, who is set to take her post, was also from her political party.

Moreover, Frasco said she has yet to recommend a new spokesperson for Vice President-elect Sara Duterte.

"At the moment, I have not presented any recommendations to her or discussed that matter with her," she said.

Duterte assigned Frasco as her spokesperson in July 2021.  —KBK, GMA News