More on moving tourism forward

We received an update from the Atty. Mark Richard D. Evidente, director for Legislative Affairs of the Office of Sen. Richard Gordon, on the proposed and controversial $5 ‘tourism fee’ that has elicited a mountain of debate from quite a number of stakeholders in the country’s tourism industry. Please read on.

"We have observed various leaders of the tourism private sector weighing in on your column regarding Senate Bill 2138, the Tourism Act of 2007, principally authored by Sen. Richard J. Gordon.

"Much of the discussion appears focused on the merit of the alleged tourism fee to be collected from hotel guests. We feel that it must be communicated to the general public that, in response precisely to these concerns, we have already deleted the section pertaining to the tourism fee, specifically section 51 (g), as among the amendments introduced by Sen. Richard Gordon on Jan. 22, 2007.

"While we feel the tourism fee should be an essential element in funding tourism promotions and development (1) given the impending phase out of the travel tax under our international treaty commitments, (2) with the possibility that the GOCCs contributing to the fund may fail or refuse to remit, and (3) to ensure that the private sector remains fully involved as a stakeholder in managing the fund responsibly, we nevertheless fully recognize the concerns of some leaders of the private sector and thus caused the provision’s deletion. Indeed, many of the amendments made on Jan. 22, 2007 were done precisely to respond to other private sector concerns.

"Our office has always been open and available to receive suggestions and comments throughout the last two and a half years the bill has been under deliberation. We have talked about this bill over those two and a half years.

Need to act now

"Now however is a time to act.

"We now ask the entire private sector to rally around the Tourism Bill. It has often been said that there is broad consensus and support on the great majority of the bill’s provisions. Let us now focus on what we agree on, and call for the passage of the bill by both houses of Congress. Let us allow the bill to pass into law, allow it to work and, as it becomes implemented, let us see how we can further refine the law in a way that truly promotes and develops the Philippine tourism industry."

I fully agree with Sen. Gordon that we have to move now, and move quickly. The concern for funds to support a comprehensive tourism plan has to be addressed. However, there are also those basic problems highlighted by many keen observers of tourism sector that can be resolved without huge financial cost nor by new legislative measures. What is needed is plain common sense and the will and determination to correct them.

More suggestions

One other reader, Dave Patience, has this quick response to the letter of Charles G. Kick, III, PhD that we published in the last column. Here is his view.

"I have to agree with a lot of what Charles wrote.

"Especially with infrastructure, your tourist industry has to know that most tourists only have two to three weeks holiday, not like most balikbayans that have months. In those few short weeks, most western tourists like to explore as much as possible and prefer to drive at their leisure.

"However, when I visited the Philippines with my wife, who is from Cabanatuan, it took 12 hours by boat and bus to travel to her home town from Puerto Galera. That is insane! The boat ride across to Batangas was good, but the bus ride was way too long and arduous. There must be four-lane highways built that bypass the small towns.

Pollution by jeepneys

"Something must be done about the pollution that vehicles (especially the jeepneys) are spewing out. When we visited Baguio, I couldn’t believe how bad the pollution was. In addition, there were far too many jeepneys driving around, and most of them were empty or had few people.

"Also with respect to jeepneys, although they are very handy and a unique vehicle to the Philippines, due to their head room in the back, they sure aren’t friendly for tall people.

"You have a beautiful country with many, many wonderful and friendly people. I personally found people to be very accommodating and helpful as well. In order to attract more tourists, the Philippines must improve its method of transport including more direct international flights to Cebu and Palawan.

"The Philippines could easily become the next backpackers’ paradise like Thailand or Australia."

The barrage of correspondence from readers during the last few weeks wanting to share their thoughts and suggestions on how to improve the Philippines’ bid to become a worthwhile tourism destination for Europeans and other Asians is touching.

With legislative work hampered by political interests and with government struggling with many other distractions, the private sector has to put in more work if it wants to bring the country’s tourism efforts to world-class standards.

Red letter day for Sir Cliff Richard fans

Tomorrow night at Araneta Coliseum, thousands will relive loving memories of yesteryears as Sir Cliff Richard belts out such unforgettable songs as "We Don’t Talk Anymore," "Dreamin’," "Ocean Deep," "Somewhere Over The Rainbow," and "What A Wonderful World," among others. Sir Richard is flying in from Singapore for the sixth stop in his eight-country Middle East and Asian tour titled "Here and Now."

Sir Cliff Richard’s popularity continues to soar not only locally as shown by the brisk ticket sales but worldwide. The Asian tour is part of his activities to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a singer and performer this coming August.

And he has absolutely no plans of retiring. "I would like to celebrate my 50th year in a special way," he said in an interview. "Not many people become 50 years old in a career and so I would like to celebrate it with people. I’ve always said to myself that really the age is unimportant. It’s how you feel. Do you feel 60? If you feel 60, you act 60. If you feel 18, then you act 18. I feel 20."

Luke Pasiliao of Solar Entertainment has done it again. The Cliff Richard pre-Valentine show is definitely the stand-out among all the shows being offered to discerning concert goers in celebration of the day of hearts. Luke is confident that tomorrow is a night to be long-remembered with Sir Cliff expected to present an act entirely different from any concert he has staged before.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected] or at [email protected]. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at http://bizlinks.linkedge.biz.