The Department of Transportation (DOTr) will identify particular airports that need to be upgraded to help improve the access of travelers to tourism destinations in the country.
This developed as national tourism groups welcomed the goal of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. to help the tourism sector recover and regain its place as a driver of economic growth.
In a news statement, Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista said he “feels challenged” by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s instruction to modernize the country’s transport facilities, especially those relating to aviation, during the latter’s first State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday. (See, “Marcos wants tourism to drive GDP, jobs,” in the BusinessMirror, July 25, 2022.)
A former president of pioneering flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), Bautista vowed to prioritize the enhancements of various airports and elevate them to global standards. “We will build upon the dozens of aviation-related projects completed in the past administration and identify areas for technical
upgrade to allow them to enhance their operational capabilities,” he stressed.
“The President’s order to the DOTr is clear—it’s full speed ahead for our transport projects,” said the Transportation chief, who was absent at the SONA as he is still recuperating from Covid.
The Tourism Congress of the Philippines also expressed support to the Marcos Jr. administration’s plan to upgrade the country’s airports, which the group has been advocating for years. But its president Jose C. Clemente III added, “Government must also look at creating favorable conditions for both foreign and national carriers to fly to those airports. Consider landing and parking fees, charges for Immigration and Customs personnel, and so on. Examine the reasons why many foreign carriers don’t fly here directly anymore.”
Incentives for sustainable tourism
At the post-SONA briefing of economic managers on Tuesday, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco outlined her agency’s main objectives to achieve the tourism industry’s rightful place in growing the economy: Improvement of tourism infrastructure and accessibility; cohesive and comprehensive digitalization and connectivity; enhancement of overall tourist experience; Equalization of tourism product and development; diversification of portfolio through multi-dimensional tourism; maximization of domestic tourism; and strengthening tourism governance through close collaboration with local government units and stakeholders.
“It’s also very, very important for us to ensure that we examine all existing strategies that have been set in place to continue the good programs that have been implemented, and introduce innovations and strong coordination with tourism-enhancing government agencies in the national government; overall, to be able to ensure that we build a strong foundation for the tourist industry so that it becomes resilient against any crisis,” she added.
She also said it was important to introduce incentives to tourism stakeholders so they will implement green policies that preserve the environment, “as well as [introduce] measures that promote environmental protection, energy-efficient usage, and the like.”
National tourism groups
Meanwhile, the Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA) welcomed the President’s directive to improve infrastructure and promote better connectivity to the different tourist destinations. “As for the possible change in the branding campaign, we likewise welcome any initiative to improve the image and increase the competitiveness of the country,” said PHOA Executive Director Benito C. Bengzon Jr., a former Undersecretary for Tourism Development.
For its part, the board of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association Inc. also expressed support to Marcos Jr.’s tourism thrust. “Developing roads, airports and tourist destinations will help boost tourism targets, provide convenience for travelers and generate economic growth, as these will create employment opportunities in travel, tourism and aviation industries. And continued collaboration with the private sector is important,” they said.
In a separate news statement, PAL President and COO Capt. Stanley K. Ng also backed Marcos Jr.’s goal to improve tourism access. “The construction of new international airports will help boost tourism targets, generate economic growth will create employment opportunities in the aviation, travel and tourism industries. New access roads will help these economic benefits to flow into local communities.”