GMA: Tourism a tool vs. global poverty

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo yesterday urged representatives from Asian countries to continue their faith in tourism as a powerful instrument to alleviate poverty.

Speaking during the final day of the 6th International Tourism Forum for Parliamentarians and Local Authorities (ITF-PLA), President Arroyo said global economic realities threaten the fight to reduce poverty worldwide.

But, President Arroyo said, they must stay hopeful that they will succeed in the fight.

“On fighting poverty, tourism is major creator of jobs and livelihood. Throughout Asia, we have models of strategies that have successfully integrated poverty alleviation with the growth of tourism,” Arroyo said.

Arroyo said that every week brings a new chapter in the financial drama that is gripping the world. Some might say the recent chapters read like a horror novel.

“Three weeks ago, the US government approved a bailout worth $700 billion that many thought would calm the waters. Last week, those waters were roiling across the globe as Asian and European markets and governments scrambled to respond in kind. Then markets around the world swung back again in a positive direction,” she said.

According to Arroyo, she hopes that the forum participants are able to come with a united stand on issues related to tourism in relation to the global crisis.

Arroyo recalled that in the past, tourism has shown its resilience in the face of global problems.

The financial crisis in 1997, Arroyo said came and went with barely a dent on the volume of tourist arrivals.

She said Bali and the rest of ASEAN have suffered terrorist attacks, and most of ASEAN has endured the SARS scare, but the numbers of inbound visitors to our region have continued to increase.

“Let us therefore look beyond the difficulties posed by the current global economic slowdown. Let us address the major issues which will continue influence the strategic directions of global tourism. Issues like climate change, the role of women, and the relationship between tourism and poverty alleviation,” Arroyo said.

On climate change, Arroyo said protecting the environment is one of the top priorities.  She said an example of their efforts is to preserve the “Green Philippines” is their support for the Coral Triangle Initiative.

According to President Arroyo, this is a program that will seek to protect the rich coral areas which abound in six countries in the region, most especially the Philippines.

Preserving the Coral Triangle, Arroyo said, will maintain the country’s reputation as the best diving destination in the world. It is also part of the responsibility of the six countries to future generations.

The president said Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano is working double time in implementing strategies to attract more tourists to visit the country.

Arroyo said that she was happy that the representatives of Asian countries focusing their discussion on issues like climate change, poverty alleviation, peace-building and the role of women in tourism, and the impact of the temporary global economic showdown brought about by the financial crisis in the United States.

Arroyo said the country is a favorite destination of tourists and the people should continue supporting the government program related to tourism.

For his part, Secretary Durano said the forum allows an exceptional exchange of ideas on how to foster robust tourism without sidestepping pressing global concerns.

DOT Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque, Jr. said that aside from the major challenges facing the tourism industry, the forum also serves as an avenue to discuss the alignment of Philippine tourism strategies with that of other countries.

He explained that as an international standard system, the Tourism Satellite Account, which has been adopted by Asian countries, determines the travel industry’s contribution to economic activities and helps gauge a nation’s tourism standards against those of other countries.

The ITF-PLA, which is held every two years, is a gathering of national tourism administrators, legislators and local executives from 157 member countries and territories, and more than 300 affiliate members from the private sector, educational institutions, tourism associations and local tourism authorities.

The first forum was held in Cadiz, Spain 13 years. The next forums were held in Bali, Indonesia in l996, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2000, Panama in 2002, and in Hammamet, Tunisia in 2007.

The international conference opened with consultants and experts from the United Nations World Tourism Organization conducting a two-day seminar on tourism satellite system. — Jose P. Sollano/NLQ