Tourism benefits from dry spell

CEBU, Philippines - While the El Niño phenomenon has affected the vast agricultural sector in the Philippines, Cebu in particular is expected to draw more tourism revenue because of the “dry spell”.

National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA-7) regional director Marlene Catalina Rodriguez said that Cebu, as well as other tourism hotspots will benefit the El Niño phenomenon as more people will spend vacation on the beach.

According to Rodriguez domestic tourism is seen to surge in Cebu as well as in the neighboring provinces in Central Visayas.

In 2009, domestic tourism arrivals for the region registered at a slower growth rate of 6.3 percent, compared to 7.7 percent growth posted in 2008. Foreign arrivals on the other hand, plunged to 0.2 percent growth, compared to 12.3 percent it grew in the previous year.

“We are still growing in the tourism sector, but the rate now is slower compared to the previous years,” Rodriguez said.

Likewise, Department of Agriculture assistant secretary Preceles Manzo believes that Cebu, and other tourism hotspots in the Philippines could attract good revenue generation out of the El Niño phenomenon.

“El Niño works both ways,” Manzo said emphasizing that Cebu in particular, being the number tourism destination of the Philippines could reap the positive effects of the phenomenon.

In general, Manzo said Cebu will not be affected by the “dry spell,” as the province is a non-agricultural area.

Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano already made his pronouncements earlier, that the dry spell could push the realization of 15 percent target growth for the country tourism sector this year.

“If we look at it in terms of tourism, El Niño, I foresee that it will not have an effect on the tourism circuit of the country which is in Central Philippines. I am confident that we will sustain a 15-percent growth this year,” Durano said.

According to Durano it could have been different if during the summer time it will start raining here so that would affect the attractiveness of the Philippines as a tropical destination.

The prolonged, harsh winter in other countries would make tropical destinations like the Philippines more attractive, even with its hotter than usual weather for the first half of the year, Durano stressed.

"The longer the cold months the longer our peak will be, not to mention it is a harsh winter, and their economies are rebounding as well. We foresee that there will be a pick up in the international markets," he said.

The moderate dry spell in the Philippines, which began in early February, is expected to last until June.— Ehda M. Dagooc