Despite quake, super typhoon: DOT optimistic to hit 2013 target

CEBU, Philippines - Following the announcement from international tourism organizations expressing support to help the ailing tourism sector, the Department of Tourism (DOT) voiced optimism to hit the arrival target this year.

DOT-7 regional director Rowena Montecillo said that because of the performance in the last three quarters, Cebu and Bohol in particular will immediately recover and will hit the target.

"Since the earthquake in October, some foreign tourist markets or even domestic travelers were already thinking twice about coming here. We did our part to revive tourism, especially in Bohol, by quickly coming out with alternative routes for tourists. Traffic seemed to revive until Yolanda came and we had to start over again," said Montecillo.

The tourism department sought help of international organizations to help Cebu and Bohol recover from the aftermath of the 7.2-magnitude earthquake in October and super typhoon Yolanda last November.

"These are challenging times and we will need the help of international tourism communities to make people aware that there is still tourism in the region,” said  Montecillo.

She expects a slight drop in the tourism turnout in Central Visayas in the fourth quarter compared to the same period last year because of the two recent major calamities that hit these areas.

Traditionally, the fourth quarter is a peak season for the tourism industry in the region. However, the recent two major calamities have created a "cloud of apprehension" from the global tourism market, she said.

The tourism department has already asked the US Agency for International Development (USAid) to conduct a resurvey in Cebu and Bohol after Yolanda brought in new issues of concern in the industry.

"We have asked them (USAid) to help map out a plan of recovery for Cebu and Bohol. They are resurveying now because of Yolanda. In Bohol, the problem on power is critical and in Cebu, Malapascua and Bantayan were badly hit by Yolanda," she said.

Other international organizations that have already committed to help the Philippine tourism industry include the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) and the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC).

Montecillo said that these organizations have committed to help encourage the different tourism players around the world to still come to the country, especially to Cebu and Bohol.

“They're going to help us promote our destinations. They are calling on all their member organizations to visit the Philippines now more than ever because this is the time we need them most,” she said.

Montecillo also pointed out that most of the international tourists think that the entire country has been devastated by Yolanda because of the news and videos they see over the internet and from international news broadcasts.

"It is important that they will know it's not the entire Cebu, Bohol or the country that was devastated. I'm glad that these organizations gave their support," said Montecillo.

UNWTO, the leading international organization in the field of tourism which is the United Nations' agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism, wrote in their website that they are ready to support the Philippines in any tourism-related recovery program for the affected areas.

"Pata on the other hand has been in contact with local and national tourism officials in the Philippines to offer moral support and practical help. It has set up an online appeal to raise funds for the Philippines and earmarked US$10,000 (subject to normal approval) for the Philippine disaster relief fund," said a DOT statement.

Pata has also briefed the Asian Wall Street Journal on the need to maintain business confidence in the Philippine tourism sector and its essential role in economic development. /JMD (FREEMAN)