(Niño Jesus Orbeta/Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines — If elected anew, senatorial aspirant and former Senator JV Ejercito on Thursday said he will push for the promotion of motorcycle tourism in a bid to boost the country’s domestic tourism and economy.
In a statement, Ejercito stressed the importance of motorcyclists in promoting local tourism.
“Yung mga riders…we know the nice places, mga magagandang lugar, masasarap kainan, mga hidden treasures [Riders know the nice places, where to eat good food, hidden treasures],’’ he said.
“Pag pinopost natin, ishe-share, pag nakita ng tao, di lang ng mga rider, pati ng mga pamilya, pag dinala po nila, malaki po ang maitutulong niyan sa ating tourism [When we post it, share it, people we see it, and it will help boost tourism],” he added.
Ejercito, a motorcycle enthusiast and travel blogger, saidmotorcycle tourism can trigger a “multiplier effect” that would benefit various local businesses and industries.
“Yung multiplier effect niyan, malaki: yung magpapagasolina tayo, pupunta ng convenience store, kakain sa resto, magchecheck in, mamimili. Just look at the multiplier effect of tourism. Halos lahat ng negosyo gugulong at kikilos, he said.
Former Sen. JV Ejercito. (EDWIN BACASMAS / Philippine Daily Inquirer)
(It has a multiplier effect, it has an impact: when we gas up, buy things at the convenience store, eat at a restaurant, check in a hotel, shop around. Just look at the multiplier effect of tourism. Almost all businesses will benefit.)
Further, he sought the improvement of programs to help the country’s local tourism while there are still some limitations on international tourism amid the pandemic.
“I think sa dami ng Pilipino ngayon, sa domestic tourism lang, mabubuhay na tayo [I think with the number of Filipinos now, we can thrive with just domestic tourism for the meantime],” Ejercito said.