MANILA, Philippines - President Aquino is urging foreign visitors and Filipinos abroad to promote the Philippines as a tourist destination with more confidence now that the country is not only blessed with “natural gifts†but is also respected by the international community and striving for inclusive growth.
In his speech during the 8th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors’ Tour of the Philippines at Malacañang the other day, Aquino also expressed elation over the European Union (EU)’s lifting of air restrictions imposed on the Philippines.
The President said he was up until Wednesday midnight discussing the budget for 2014 as well as the peace negotiations with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front and was feeling tired until he saw reports on the lifting of air restrictions as well as other positive developments.
“So, it took us quite a long while (talking about the budget), and I had to admit the energy level was a bit down (yesterday) morning until I read the papers which surprisingly had tremendous good news, left and right. That’s kind of unique. I think I will preserve my copy of today’s paper for posterity, just in case they never repeat it again,†Aquino told the participants.
The President also said he was grateful to welcome this year’s tour participants at the Palace as it offered him a fulfilling break from his other duties.
“While looking at your faces, I was wondering if you’re all still victimized by jetlag... But, I’m told that the reason that you might be a little tired is that you have been experiencing firsthand what it really means to be, or what it means to say when we talk about ‘more fun in the Philippines.’ I hope that you really had fun and that the energy was well spent,†he said.
“As I understand, these past few days, you have been to a number of tourist destinations in our country. I hear, for instance, that you were in Tagaytay, in which case I hope you enjoyed the brisk weather, the excellent buko pie, and the magnificent view of Taal Volcano,†he added.
“True, the sheer number of natural gifts in this country can take your breath away. Moreover, our fellowship - especially around the table, where Filipinos always make a point to share laughs and stories over adobo and lechon - cannot be found anywhere else. But I also hope that in the few days you have spent here, you have seen the can-do attitude and the renewed confidence that have revitalized the Philippines,†he noted.
Aquino also said Filipinos abroad should consider how his administration managed to turn things around: “From a place of unfulfilled potential, to a nation and people not just exceeding expectations, but creating even more potentialities for Filipinos and other people of good will.â€
From the beginning, the President said, the administration decided that not only could tourism be boosted, but that it could be done sooner rather than later. So from day one, they worked to grow tourism in the Philippines to its full potential as an industry.
“You have probably already heard of the highly successful tourism campaign led by our own Department of Tourism, under the leadership of Secretary (Ramon) Jimenez. In fact, after the tours you have gone on, you can probably attest that it really is truly more fun in the Philippines. That is the secret of our campaign: we are not mouthing a marketing slogan. We are simply repeating a basic truth,†Aquino noted.
“The good news is you - and the millions of other tourists who have passed through our country - are not the only ones who have noticed. In their 2013 report, the World Economic Forum Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index ranked us number one in the world in terms of government spending on tourism as a percentage of GDP (gross domestic product), which shows just how focused we are on our tourism sector. This also helped us jump 12 spots in their index - from 94th to 82nd. According to some publications, we are among the world’s best diving and beach destinations; and Travel+Leisure magazine has even recently called Palawan ‘The World’s Best Island,’†he added.
All these factors, he said, helped the government boost the number of tourists visiting the country.
“Do whatever part you can in building a Philippines that truly lives up to its potential - like being informal Philippine ambassadors by telling your friends back home just how fun it is here,†Aquino asked the participants.
“Our country is in an upswing, and I invite you, and every Filipino out there, to help keep our momentum going - to help us bequeath to future generations a Philippines they can be truly proud of,†he added.
He reported that last year, the Philippines breached the four million mark for the first time in history, recording 4.3 million international tourists or a 9 percent increase from the 3.9 million international tourists of 2011.
In 2011, the country recorded 37.5 million domestic travelers, which surpassed target for 2016.
“We have already surpassed the 2016 target as early as 2011. Of course, we are always looking to improve on our performance, and so we have decided to put just a little bit more pressure on Secretary Jimenez: from 35 million, the domestic tourism target for 2016 has been adjusted to 56.1 million travelers by 2016 and, of course, 6.8 million foreign tourists by next year. Just a slight increase in pressure, I am glad to say that this is a challenge that he has graciously accepted,†Aquino said.
This unprecedented boom in tourism, together with the government’s efforts to stamp out corruption in the bureaucracy and institute a government that actually worked for the people, had vastly altered the country’s economic landscape.
“The numbers might surprise you. The last time I welcomed visitors on this tour, I was already very happy to announce that our economy grew by 6.4 percent in the first quarter of 2012. Well, this year, I am even happier to share our growth numbers with you. The Philippines’ GDP ended up growing by 6.8 percent in 2012, and in the first quarter of 2013, we have recorded the fastest growth rate in East and Southeast Asia at 7.8 percent,†Aquino noted.
“Rest assured, however, that this success will only make our administration work harder. We know full well the challenges that remain. We must make certain that this growth becomes even more inclusive - that the economic benefits do not merely trickle down to our people, but that every Filipino is able to ride the rising tide of progress,†he said.
The participants are from the United States (Mid-West, East Coast, Hawaii, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Guam) and Canada (Toronto and Vancouver). They visited Corregidor, Ayala Museum, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, University of Santo Tomas Museum, Tagaytay, Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite, Dr. Jose Rizal Shrine in Calamba, Laguna and Solaire Resort and Casino along Manila Bay from July 8 to 10.