MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) sees a more vibrant tourism industry as opposing stakeholders have joined forces to make the Philippines one of the world’s prime tourist destinations.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said the previously divided members of the tourism industry have finally come together and now comprise the Tourism Congress.
Jimenez expressed confidence that the unification of the tourism industry would translate to a “golden era for Philippine tourism.”
“Now, we can look forward to the dawn of a golden era for Philippine tourism,” he said.
“It is a dawning for you have begun the serious and strenuous task of unification and consolidation under one umbrella organization.”
Jimenez told some 400 participants to the two-day Tourism Congress meeting that Philippine tourism is finally ready to take its place as one of the most valuable pillars of the Philippine economy as well as the Asian economy.
“Your coming together today will guarantee that we will not only compete more effectively than before; we will finally win our fair share of the world’s booming travel market,” he said.
During yesterday’s meeting, TC resolved to include in its membership DOT-accredited tourism enterprises, which have also been given voting power.
Members of associations were also encouraged to apply for accreditation in order to fully participate.
Outgoing TC president Alma Jimenez presented amendments, including the accreditation of new members, to the existing constitution and bylaws of the Congress.
The Congress, however, deferred compliance procedures for accreditation of new members.
On the last day of the event, representatives from various sectors of the tourism industry elected a new board of trustees and set of officers of the TC, a private-sector consultative body of DOT as mandated by the Tourism Act of 2009.
A total of 18 vice presidents for six sectors – accommodation; travel and tour services, tourist transport services; meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions/events (MICE); tourism estate developers and management services; and other tourism related enterprises – each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao were elected to comprise the new board of trustees.
The new board immediately convened to elect among themselves the following officers: Celine Clemente, president; Mario Mamon, executive vice president; Anthony de Leon, vice president for Luzon; Hans Hauri, vice president for Visayas; Mary Ann Montemayor, vice president for Mindanao; Marisa Nallana, secretary; Alice San Juan, assistant secretary; Fidel Malaca, treasurer; and Michelle Solon, public relations officer.
Other members of the board include Alice Queblatin, Victor Martinez, Ma. Theresa Acelo, Lourdes Bibit, Farida Pangilinan, Rosanna Forest, Edgar Caces, Ernesto Pelaez, Dexter Deyto and Eileen San Juan.
The meeting concluded with a call for nominations of private sector representatives to the boards of three of DOT’s attached agencies, namely the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), Tourism Investment and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) and Duty Free Philippines Corp. (DFPC).