DOT: No clear data on tourist arrivals

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism-7 said they lack the needed data to show that Cebu is still the most preferred destination next to Metro Manila.

DOT-7 Regional Director Rowena Montecillo said that Cebu does not have enough data on tourists especially in the municipal level.

“Cebu is not complacent. We have so many tourists here. Wala lang gyud ta’y enough data nga na-gather,” Montecillo said.

Montecillo complained that the tourism officer in each town in the province is required to submit to DOT-7 the numbers on tourist arrivals from their accommodation establishments, but only very few are reportedly complying.

She said that tourism officers are already being trained to do this job.

To address this concern, DOT-7 will have a meeting with all the tourism officers in the provinces and cities of Cebu next week.

There was a report that came out that Cebu was overtaken by Camarines Sur in terms of tourist arrivals.

“I am not saddened because Camsur is still in the Philippines. We have to show our cooperation, she said.

Montecillo said that DOT-7 will lead the Cebu Sales Mission to Singapore and Malaysia next month and the Shopping Fiesta in Cebu in September.

She said DOT-7 is in the process of assessing new products in the region based on the national tourism development plan.

Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, Jr. will lead the 6th Philippine Business Mission to the Japanese cities of Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo from June 24 to 30, 2012, which will showcase the country’s tourism campaign, ‘It’s More Fun in the Philippines’.

“The mission aims to strengthen our existing ties with the Japanese travel trade and capture more of this high-value market with our new fun products and rebranding efforts. This year’s PBM will be beneficial in helping us achieve at least a 10 percent growth rate in this market, and reach our ultimate goal of 10 million tourists by 2016,” Secretary Jimenez said in a press statement.

As the single most important travel trade event of DOT in Japan, the Philippine delegation which includes representatives of the local travel trade, national and local government agencies, media and other strategic partners, will conduct presentations and hold business meetings with counterparts. The schedule of the PBM in June is seen to be strategic, as this is when most tour wholesalers and agents plan for tour programs next season, from October 2012 to March 2013.

In 2010, the Philippines ranked as the 17th most visited destination worldwide by Japanese tourists, and the 10th most visited in the Asian region.

Traveling to the Philippines is also convenient for the Japanese, with the availability of direct flights from Fukuoka, Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo. Japanese travelers are mainly interested in experiencing different cultures, visiting beaches and dive sites —all of which are key tourism products offered by the Philippines.

The PBM’s objective, therefore, is to present the latest developments in the Philippine tourism industry featuring new destinations, products, and services, as well as position the country as an attractive and competitive tourism destination for the Japanese market. The one-week event is organized at strategically located hotels in each city, which includes seminars, travel marts, and cocktail receptions providing the opportunity for Philippine delegates to encourage their Japanese counterparts to visit the Philippines.

Japan remains to be the third biggest generator of tourist arrivals to the Philippines, registering 104,558 arrivals or 9.11 percent of the aggregate for the first quarter of 2012, a 3.85 percent increase from last year’s figures for the same quarter. (FREEMAN)