“TOURISM is essential.”
This was the underlying message of Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo in a forum organized Monday by tourism professionals under the Turismo Para Kay Leni organization. “Your [sector’s] contribution to national development is invaluable; one cannot measure how much it reverberates to the many who have been helped by your sector,” she stressed.
Among the programs she unveiled is the upgrading of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the entire tourism value chain. “Many MSMEs were forced to close or let go of employees because of the pandemic, so they need access to financing through a government-assistance program. Our challenge now is to develop new business models and prepare for our recovery, bearing in mind that lockdowns and reopenings should be part of the preparations since Covid is here to stay. Our challenge is how to go beyond the rollercoaster ride and minimize the impact on our sector.”
Part of this program is a P100-billion stimulus package for affected MSMEs. She said, “Our proposal is to give conditional grants to ensure the reduction of unemployment in the sector, establish government guarantee programs to enable MSMEs to easily access loan facilities, so in case of defaults, government will assist them.” The Philippine Statistics Authority says close to 100 percent of tourism and tourism-related enterprises are MSMEs.
Grants, guarantee programs as aid
Robredo pitched “unemployment insurance” to protect employees losing their jobs, as well as investment skills and business development training. “Included in this is the development of new products, new services, and new business models, as well as learning programs for the private and public sectors for sustainable tourism governance.”
She said it was vital for tourism development plans of local government units (LGUs) to include “a crisis management plan to prepare for disasters and what safety nets can be offered to those affected.” Robredo recalled Siargao local officials lamenting that, “They were just about to recover, then the typhoon hit.”
Her administration will also “adopt the Safe Travel Stamp of the World Travel and Tourism Council [WTTC] for Department of Tourism [DOT]-accredited establishments and destinations.” This also includes “the use of the Asean Quality Standards and Certification Processes for facilities such as homestays, spa services and public toilets.”
Robredo fielded questions from sectoral representatives. “I am committing my clean and honest governance until the smallest members of your sector. I will ensure that your voice will be heard because in my type of public service, I can’t claim a monopoly on having the best programs. I believe the best programs for the sector will come from the sector itself, and the government will support these.”
The forum attracted over 200 participants via Zoom and 3,600 viewers on Facebook livestream, including major tourism organizations and key leaders in the sector.
Stakeholders’ views
Her blueprint went well with stakeholders.
“Generally, the proposed safety nets are commendable: livelihood insurance, socialized approach to loans, upskilling to qualify for next-level positions,” said Mariglo Laririt, Head of Environmental Sustainability Initiatives for El Nido Resorts. “But very significantly, it stood out that she walked into the talk very well-prepared. The details she dropped didn’t escape me, like knowing about the WTTC Safe Travel Stamp that is endorsed by the DOT to ascertain that an establishment adheres to international health standards. I was very impressed.”
Flo Rivera, national president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, noted, “VP Leni is obviously highly aware and sensitive of the needs of those in the laylayan, in the grassroots, so it is not difficult for her to understand the needs of tourism workers in the communities from the bangkeros to the tour guides.”
What resonated with Randi Alampay, a professor at the UP-Asian Institute of Tourism, was the “focus on MSMEs in tourism value chain development, the strengthening of local destinations, including capital development for LGUs in tourism planning and development, [and] resiliency and preparedness of tourism destinations [most of which] are sun-and-beach or nature-based, and very vulnerable to natural disasters.”
Former Tourism Promotions Board COO Chicoy Enerio said, “On a macro level, moving forward with Green Tourism will likely be supported, but subject to clear government incentives and guidelines. [I also like that she] encourages stronger domestic tourism but with a culture of safety that is standard to all LGUs and tourism destinations.”