Cycle of Corruption Hurts Philippines' Tourism Sector

PRESS RELEASE

12 March 2016

Duterte-Cayetano: Cycle of corruption hurts PH tourism sector

If the next leaders intend to create significant improvements in the country's tourism sector, they must first address the systemic corruption in government, Vice presidential bet Senate Majority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano said on Saturday (March 12).

As part of their “Ronda-Serye” listening tour, Cayetano visited Vigan, Ilocos Sur to conduct an informal dialogue with local tour guides, kalesa drivers, and market vendors in the city. He presented to them the bold solutions that he and his running mate, Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte, plan to implement to rid government of corruption, which he says hinders the growth of local economies.

Cayetano lamented that while billions worth of money are stolen from the nation's coffers every year, the Philippine tourism industry continues to lag behind its ASEAN counterparts. In 2014, the country only welcomed 4.8 million tourists, while Malaysia recorded 27.43 million tourist arrivals. The administration is also far from reaching its 10-million target for tourist arrivals by the end of Aquino's term, with only 5.3 million tourist arrivals recorded in 2015.

“Sobra na ang paghihirap sa bansa, nauunahan na tayo ng mga karatig bansa pagdating sa pag-unlad, pagtapos ay nanakawan pa ng mga korap na opisyal ang kaban ng bayan. Paano maaayos ang gulo,” Cayetano said.

"We all know that corruption prevents the inflow of investments and negatively affects economic growth. So if we want our tourism sector to boom, we first need to cleanse our system of dishonest officials who enrich themselves at the expense of our nation's progress," he added.

Cayetano said if elected, he and Duterte will resolve the problem by promoting transparency and accountability in government. Among these are the passage of several important measures such as the Freedom of Information (FOI) and Anti-dummy laws.

The senator also pushed for the creation of a Department of Culture and National Heritage, which will be responsible for the promotion and preservation of historical and heritage sites. The senator explained that the department will help spur region-specific tourism in different provinces and create employment and other livelihood opportunities.

"What we need is a clean and honest government that will end the disorder in the country, lure more investors, create more jobs, and generate more income for our people. With our political will and vision, Mayor Duterte and I will deliver," Cayetano ended. 

Tourism Accolades for The Philippines

By Ed Biado, MANILA STANDARD 
 

These 7,107 islands are finally getting the recognition they deserve. After being perennially ignored for a long time in favor of other exotic Asian locales, the Philippines is now among the emerging destinations shaking up the world of travel. Thanks to aggressive marketing campaigns and effective branding strategies undertaken by the Tourism Department and supported by the the Filipino public here and abroad, Philippine tourism is on the brink of a renaissance.

Travel guide creator and publisher Lonely Planet included the Philippines in the list of top 10 countries to visit in 2015 in its “Best In Travel 2015” guidebook—one of only two Asian countries on the tally. (The other is Singapore, which takes the top spot.)

Baler in Aurora together with its more popular
counterparts are putting the Philippines back
on the map. DAVID CHAN

The write-up on the Web site states, “Many would say the time is well overdue for the Philippines to be recognized as the next big travel destination in Southeast Asia,” citing its “beautiful coastlines, fringed by dive-tastic coral reefs, sprinkled with sunbathe-ready white sand, backed by swaying palm trees and dotted with simple resorts of nipa-palm thatched huts.”

It adds that there are “plenty” of live-changing experiences (such as “clinging to the back of a jeepney speeding through the crowded streets of Metro Manila”), as well as “street parades, food festivals, sports tournaments and live music shows.”

From “hundreds of places that are exciting right now,” the destinations that made the recommendations guide are “just 10 countries, 10 regions and 10 cities,” each “chosen for its topicality, unique experiences and ‘wow’ factor.” (“Best In Travel 2015” is now on sale through www.lonelyplanet.com for $14.99.)

In a separate story on the Lonely Planet Web site, writer Trent Holden raves about the nation’s capital. He says, “Boasting everything from craft beer, street food and speakeasy bars, to live music and a contemporary art scene, Manila is emerging as one of Asia’s most happening capitals,” crediting the development to “a new generation of fun-loving Manileños determined to put it back on the map.”

The country is also on the radar of luxury travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler. Its Readers’ Choice Awards for Top Islands in the World named Palawan as the number-one choice and Boracay as the 12th.

Meanwhile, travel industry publication TTG Asia, a licensee of Travel Trade Gazette, hailed the Philippines “Destination of the Year,” an award bestowed upon the “most outstanding destination [in the region] for taking proactive steps and initiatives towards the development and promotion of the travel industry.”

All these are expected to raise the profile of the country in 2015, which the DOT declared as Visit the Philippines Year, “an invitation for all to experience the enduring promise of more fun in the Philippines.”

World Tourism Day Run Highlights Tourism and Water

The Philippines Department of Tourism – Centraluzon, together with the Alliance of Travel and Tour Agencies of Pampanga (ATTAP) and the Pampanga Agents Travel Society (PATS), will lead the celebration of WORLD TOURISM DAY on September 29, 2013, Sunday, with a massive FUN RUN at the Clark Parade Grounds starting at 5:00 in the morning. This was the announcement made by Regional Director, Ronaldo Tiotuico in a press statement issued recently. The two agencies are represented by their presidents, Marcia Hernandez and Roelson Ferry, respectively. The forthcoming event will usher in the coming of age of the travel and tourism industry of Central Luzon as it now begins to evolve to greater stature due to the forging of a stronger partnership between the government and the private sector. It symbolizes the achievements of the private sector in bringing about a good number of foreign and local tourists and travelers into the region as it begins to hit the 2M mark in visitor arrivals since 2012. Central Luzon has joined the ranks of millionaires’ row in the realm of attracting visitors to the various regions all over the country. More importantly, the event represents the industry’s collaboration and adherence with the UN General Assembly’s declaration of the year 2013 as the United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation focusing on tourism’s significant role and contribution to worldwide water conservation efforts. As a trillion-dollar economic sector, tourism is a powerful force capable of tackling this challenge by offering effective solutions geared towards a more sustainable water future. With over one billion people traveling all over the world each year, tourism can also be an important vehicle of raising awareness and changing behaviors. (source: untwo.org) With this year’s World Tourism Day theme focused on “Tourism and Water: Protecting our Common future”, the tourism department hopes to gather some 1,000 local and foreign runners in a single event with each one being reminded of the need to underline one’s responsibility and commitment to preserving the world’s vital water resources. This year’s WTD Run will have four (4) distance categories, namely 21K, 10K, 5K and 3K with their corresponding registration fees: P850, P650, P450 and P300, respectively. More than P80,000 worth of cash prizes, medals and certificates are at stake. Each participant will receive free jersey, race kit, race bib and race map. Part of the proceeds from the event will be donated to the Special Education Center of the Department of Education in Angeles City where some 200 children and adults with special needs are cared for throughout the year. The donation will be utilized to convert part of their facilities into barrier-free environment for the persons with disabilities. For further details and registration for the event, please contact any of the member travel agencies of either ATTAP or PATS. Or call the Department of Tourism – Central Luzon Office at Marlim Mansions Hotel Bldg., Diamond Subd., Balibago, Angeles City, Tel. No. (045) 625-8525 or Mobile 0917-506-2221 / 0939-904-5231. Emailcast by: Department of Tourism - Region III (Central Luzon) Paskuhan Village, City of San Fernando, Pampanga, Philippines Ronaldo P. Tiotuico - Regional Director Phone: (63 45) 961-2612 / 5617 / 625-8525 Email: tourismregion3@gmail.com / support@visitmyphilippines.com Recipient (Best Ecotourism Project - Mt. Pinatubo): PATA Gold Intl Award 2001, Kalakbay Natl Award 2001, ASEANTA Intl Award 2002 Log on: www.visitmyphilippines.com MORE THAN 13 MILLION ONLINE GUESTS HAVE VISITED THIS SITE SINCE 2007. FIND OUT WHY!