Leadership transition blamed for slow 2011 tourism growth

CEBU, Philippines - The leadership transition in the Department of Tourism (DOT) and other problems that hit 2011 were blamed for the slower growth of tourist arrivals in Cebu, which failed to meet the high expectations of the stakeholders.

“There was so much uncertainties in the sector in 2011. Nevertheless, we achieved growth and confidence of investors remained strong knowing that Cebu will be able to sustain its leadership in tourism in the country,” said tourism capitalist Jay P. Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said despite the seemingly slack movement in tourism in the Philippines in general for 2011, Cebu players continued to work on projects and programs, including formulating several advocacies believing that the slight slowdown is only for short-term and temporary.

Cebu tourism stakeholders are now waiting for the new DOT leadership headed by Ramon Jimenez, to set the direction for the country’s tourism promotion specifically abroad.

“Although Cebuano players are very resilient and more often do not solely depend on government’s move, we are open and excited to see the new tourism direction that will be set by the new Secretary, Jimenez” Aldeguer said.

From January to August in 2011, DOT-7 recorded an 11.2 percent visitor arrival increase, although this statistic is not bad, stakeholders believe that Cebu could have achieve more within the period, if the Philippines as a whole had in place tourism program.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) tourism committee chairperson Milagros Espina said that CCCI tourism committee has continuously sustained its projects on education ecology, arts and culture and enterpreneurship. Its flagship the tourism congress since 1989 had discussed tourism advocacies and issues in tourism.

In 2011, it explored promoted and published in brochures the tourist landmarks and services in eco-heritage.

“The tourism committee in 2011 initiated a project with the academe and Province of Cebu called Serbisyo Turismo, an immersion program where selected LGUs, schools and ccci members will develop sustainable tourism clusters to undergo study and training in branding local sites and services, local tour guiding, among others,” Espina said.

The CCCI tourism has long term linkages with DOT, Province of Cebu and Cebu City government, academe in concerns of infrastructure, and services; crafting a master plan with schemes of realistic implementation.

Preparing for the “best to come” for tourism in Cebu, private stakeholders, together with local government untits (LGUs) have already set the ground, while, they also believe that Cebu needs strong support from the national government, especially in fixing the infrastructure.

Cebu Business Club (CBC) president Gordon Alan “Dondi” Joseph said that although tourism is undoubtedly sustained the economic momentum of Cebu regardless of crises and calamity destructions, “Cebu could not be complacent,” and it has to act now in improving tourism product, and fix the infrastructure.

“We have to improve our tourism products,” Joseph said the reason why CBC will invite the other major chambers in Metro Cebu to start off with the reviewing of “tourism roadmap” for the province by next year.

“We have to move faster. We have to put pressure on the government,” Joseph said reiterating his belief that aside from Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) investments, and sustained OFW remittances, tourism will be able to usher Cebu into high economic growth.

Together with the Research, Education and Institutional Development (REID), a re-visit or review of Cebu’s tourism master-plan will be started.

While CBC has this major tourism project to helping Cebu soar to its maximum level in attracting tourists, CCCI also announced its program called SET or Serbisyo Turismo, which will strengthen the capabilities of the countryside municapalities to attract tourists, and offer effective packages and services for visiting travelers. (FREEMAN)