For bouncing back from disaster, PH receives major tourism award
MANILA, Philippines—For the country’s efforts at rebuilding its tourism economy and everything else that was ravaged by Typhoon “Pablo” (international name: Bopha) in December 2012, the Philippines won the New Frontiers Award at this year’s Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the Middle East’s premier travel and tourism exhibition.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) announced Monday that the Philippines was shortlisted—together with New York, in relation to Hurricane “Sandy,” and Pakistan, which was ravaged by heavy flooding in 2012—from an original list of 10 nominees for outstanding contributions to tourism development amid “overwhelming adversity.”
The New Frontiers Award, which has been a main feature of the tourism exhibition for six years now, is given to destinations that have overcome great catastrophes to revive its tourism industry.
The award, the only citation given out during the event held early this month, also offers a tribute to the resilience of local communities to rebuild their lives and bring attention to the crisis management and risk reduction practices of local authorities.
“The Philippines, its government and its people, has shown remarkable fortitude and a stoic determination to get both communities and the local economy back on track following the devastation wreaked by Typhoon Bopha late last year,” Mark Walsh, portfolio director for ATM, was quoted as saying.
“Their resilience in the face of such a monumental crisis is commendable,” he said during the awarding.
The award, which was presented during a special seminar during the show, was received by Tourism Assistant Secretary Benito Bengzon Jr., who led the Philippine delegation composed of 14 organizations representing tour operators, hotel and resort firms, and an airline company.
The DOT said Monday the award was in recognition of the country’s efforts at rebuilding infrastructure and the tourism industry affected by Pablo, which was considered one of the world’s deadliest disasters last year, leaving millions homeless and infrastructure and farms destroyed.
Bengzon said the government, under the administration of President Aquino and the Department of Tourism, had worked closely to establish tourism as a major income-generator for the nation.
“At times of adversity, such as Typhoon Pablo, the determined spirit of our countrymen, supported by assistance from the international community, shines through and it is this same spirit that is driving our tourism industry forward,” said Bengzon.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. said the “record-breaking” performance and “new highs” of the local tourism industry clearly indicated that the partnerships the agency had established were beginning to bear fruit.
“Despite these crises, we remain undaunted and focused on showing our visitors that we are worth visiting,” said Jimenez.
“Indeed, what makes the Philippines more fun is its people. The bayanihan spirit, amplified during crises, is a unique social phenomenon that will forever drive the Filipinos to remain steadfast and dependent on each other for strength, through good times and bad,” he added.
Records showed that tourist traffic from the Middle East had started to pick up this year. The first-quarter arrivals from the region alone registered a 22.1-percent gain from figures culled in the same period last year.
Tourism officials expressed optimism the country would continue to draw more of the high-spending market from the region. Service providers were also investing to take advantage of the uptrend, they said.
Cebu Pacific, for instance, will start flying daily to Dubai beginning October, Tourism Assistant Secretary Bengzon pointed out. “Other airlines are [set] to announce their services within the year,” he added.
