PH tourism plan unveiled, targets 10M foreign, 56M local travelers by 2016

ROMANCE IN SAILS Tourism department’s latest ad on one of the fun ways for tourists in the Philippines CONTRIBUTED PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT), in partnership with the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) – Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism, recently unveiled the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP), which has set a target of 10 million international visitors and 56 million domestic travelers by 2016.

The DOT further revealed that the 2013 international visitor target was 5.5 million, a considerable increase from the 4.3 million international tourist arrivals recorded in 2012. Meanwhile, the volume of domestic travelers in 2012 was 40.7 million, and this is expected to increase to 44.1 million in 2013.

The top sources of international travelers to the Philippines were Korea, USA, Japan, and China. Strategic markets include Taiwan, Australia, Singapore, and Canada, while opportunity markets include Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Germany.

Tourism Undersecretary for Tourism Development Daniel G. Corpuz outlined three key strategies in moving forward to attain the goal of increased volume in tourists, including: developing and marketing competitive tourist products and destinations; improving market access, connectivity, and destination infrastructure; and improving institutional governance and human resources.

“Tourism is a major instrument to contribute to national development, and the National Tourism Development Plan must be synchronized with the Philippine Development Plan,” explained Undersecretary Corpuz. “Government agencies are required to submit a portion of their budgets that will have an impact on tourism development.”

Tourism Assistant Secretary Roland Cañizal further expounded on greater integration of government agencies to allocate adequate resources that would boost tourism development in the Philippines, citing several Convergence Programs that the DOT has with other departments, especially the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the provision of access roads to tourist destinations and the Department of Communications (DOTC) in upgrading key airports throughout the Philippines. He further emphasized the role of local government units in boosting tourism destinations in their respective jurisdictions.

“This is the kind of thinking that we want to cascade to all the local government units—that if they are serious about being a part of the National Tourism Development Plan, their seriousness is translated in terms of their commitment to develop their areas and to put the necessary resources to make sure that the plan is being implemented,” Cañizal said.

In terms of developing and marketing a diverse range of tourism products and services, Undersecretary Corpuz emphasized that the Philippines must think “beyond beach vacations”. Among the products identified by the DOT are: nature tourism; cultural tourism; sun and beach tourism; leisure and entertainment tourism; MICE and events tourism; health, wellness, and retirement tourism; cruise and nautical tourism; diving and marine sports tourism; and education tourism.

In a videotaped message, Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, Jr. stated that the tourism industry is all about changing mindsets in the Philippines, especially since it did not rank high in terms of priorities for the longest time.

“The National Tourism Development Plan provides a framework for an honest and professional tourism sector as an engine for sustainable growth,” he emphasized.

Meanwhile, AIM President Dr. Steven J. DeKrey expressed the institution’s support of the Philippines’ tourism industry.

“We need to buttress a closer and stronger cooperation among tourism players in this flattering period of the Philippines’ growth,” Dr. DeKrey stated. “There is no room for complacency, and we already have what it takes to make it happen—skills, talent, enterprise, and government support. The AIM Center for Tourism aims to create greater opportunities for the Philippines through tourism, education, and economic development. We hope to support the tourism industry as it works toward generating sustainable development.”