Tourism remains vibrant despite crisis, says DOT chief
The country's tourism industry remains vibrant with more investments coming in, according to Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano.
Durano who was on Boracay Island on Monday with President Macapagal-Arroyo said the continued investments in the country both from foreign and local companies show confidence in the dynamism of the industry amid the crisis.
Durano said that starting in April, at least one major resort or hotel will open each month in the country. These will generate jobs for at least 3,000 workers.
More hotels are also being constructed that are expected to provide jobs to 10,000-12,000 construction workers.
These jobs could provide an alternative to overseas Filipino workers and those employed in the electronics industry who have been laid off because of the global economic crisis, according to Durano.
He said the Philippine continue to draw more tourists from China, India and neighboring countries. Domestic travel also remains strong with around 8 million Filipinos traveling for leisure yearly.
Durano said that international hotel chains are interested in investing in the country because of the profitability of the international hotels especially in the last five years.
“They also want to cash in the growth potential of the country because they know that the global economic downturn is temporary and that eventually the economy will experience a rebound,” said Durano.
The $60-million Shangri-La Resort and Spa recently opened in Boracay in a 80-hectare property at the northern end of the 1,032-hectare island-resort.
The First Family spent the weekend in the posh hotel with room reportedly ranging from at least US$450 to US$1,000 per night.
Durano said foreign tourist arrivals in the country grew by an average of 10.6 percent from 2004-2008, considered one of the best performing destinations in the world.
Domestic tourism also grew by an average of 18 percent yearly with Boracay Island among the top tourist destions.
“Tourists cannot get enough of Boracay,” he said.
The island has reported high occupancy for its 5,800 hotel rooms and another 340 more are under construction.
The tourist arrivals have been boosted by direct flights from Taiwan and Shanghai to the Kalibo airport in the Aklan mainland.
President Macapagal-Arroyo has announced that investors are also coming in to develop an international airport in the Caticlan, the jump-off point to the island. Another airport is being eyed in the nearby Carabao Island.