Tourism Congress pushes strong ties among players

MANILA, Philippines - The Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP) is pushing for partnerships between local and foreign firms to support the growth of the country’s tourism industry.

In a statement, TCP president Rosanna Tuason-Fores said they agree with the Department of Tourism’s assessment on the need for the industry to seriously consider entering into alliances.

“We acknowledge the fact that we need to strengthen the industry and ensure that we are globally competitive.  One way to go about it is for everyone involved in the tourism industry to look at potential international partnerships,” Tuason-Fores said.

Tuason-Fores said both the TCP and DOT will ensure that local tourism players and their businesses will remain viable even as such alliances are formed.

“Should local players want to align, we will assist and protect them.  They will be mentored on the structure of the partnerships they will be entering.  Local players should find their niche.  There are different demographics for everyone,” she said.

Even as the entry of more foreign tourism players in the country is being encouraged, the TCP wants to make sure that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will benefit.

The TCP said that according to Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr., Philippine tourism is close to losing momentum because of protectionism.

He said that if no risks are taken, there would be not enough room to grow the tourism industry.

With the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) set to establish an economic community by the end of the year, the TCP started conducting consultative meetings with tourism industry players last year to prepare for the economic integration.

The TCP, created under RA 9593, is a private sector consultative body which assists the government in the development, implementation, and coordination of the country’s tourism policies.

The Philippine government has set a target of attracting 10 million foreign tourists by 2016.

Latest data from the Department of Tourism showed international tourist arrivals to the country reached 3.955 million in the January to October period in 2014, up by 2.28 percent year-on-year.