Tourism contributions to economy cited
Roxas City – The tourism industry has been making significant contributions to the national economy, helping make stakeholders in the sector alive and creating jobs and other business opportunities.
Speaking during the provincial tourism development strategic planning workshop organized by the Provincial Tourism Office, DOT Regional Director Edwin G. Trompeta said the government has placed a huge premium on tourism as a contributor to development. He said tourism is an invisible export which creates a flow of foreign currency in the economy that in turn creates a number of benefits.
Trompeta said tourist arrivals to the Philippines have grown 9-10 percent from 2001 through 2006 with the highest rate of 20 percent recorded in 2004 (2.29 million). During the period January to November 2007, tourist arrivals hit the 2.77 million mark and were expected to reach 3.02 million by yearend.
The government hopes to reach its target of attracting 5 million tourists by the year 2010, Trompeta said.
Also in 2007 alone, the tourism industry generated foreign exchange receipts estimated at US$ 2.9 billion, P100 billion worth of investments and P3.49 million worth of jobs.
Its income multiplier effect from tourist expenditures directly benefits travel agencies, hotels and restaurants, transportation, handicrafts and services. Its indirect multiplier effect can come in the form of wages of workers, profits and taxes of tourism-related businesses, and demand for equipment, stocks and supplies.
Nonetheless, Trompeta pointed out that while it creates a positive impact on the economy, the tourism industry faces challenges that need to be hurdled in order for the sector to maximize its potentials.
These include limitations of local infrastructure including hotel rooms, lack of flights to and from the country, limited information abroad, limited number of tour packages, and other factors that need not only the attention of the national government but also the support and cooperation of local government units.
Trompeta said the industry "still has a long way to go" not only in terms of achieving its target for tourist arrivals but also of hurdling the challenges facing it. (PIA)