Tourism sector welcomes appointment of marketing man as DoT head

MANILA, Philippines—Private tourism industry players welcomed the appointment of marketing and advertising executive Ramon Jimenez as secretary of the Department of Tourism, replacing Albert Lim who resigned effective August 31.

In an interview on Radyo Inquirer 990AM, Jaime Cura, vice president for external affairs of the Tourism Congress, said they had “eagerly looked forward to the appointment of a new secretary.”

“We place ourselves at the disposal of the new secretary. The Tourism Congress will be at his beck and call whenever he thinks he should be consulting with us on policy matters,” Cura said.

As a starter, Cura said, Jimenez could look into the draft of the National Tourism Development Plan, which was initiated by his predecessor.

Cura said the plan “analyzes all problems past and present” of Philippine tourism, adding that it should be “subject to final consultation with the stakeholders” in the industry.

The Tourism Congress is a consultative body composed of private tourism industry players created by law to assist the tourism secretary in crafting policies and provide directions in pushing Philippine tourism.

But some members of the Tourism Congress said Lim failed to consult with them during his term. Lim denied this. He said he just lacked “charisma” that others were looking for in a tourism secretary.