DOT chief: Success of tourism industry rests in success of regions

CROWD MAGNET Boracay Island, the country’s premier tourist destination, received 186,751 leisure travelers in April, its highest in two years since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, worrying tourism officials over a breach in its carrying capacity. —JACK JARILLA

MANILA, Philippines – The success or failure of the tourism industry rests on the success or failure of the regions, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco has said.

Frasco made the remark as she encouraged Thursday regional offices of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Visayas and Mindanao to communicate with local government units and stakeholders to ensure the alignment of tourism development initiatives.

“Moving forward, I would want for us, in the same way that I am reaching out to you, to continuously reach out to our local government officials and local stakeholders…,” Frasco said during the first leg of her listening tours in Cebu.

“The reality is that the success or failure of our industry rests in the success or failure of our regions because this is where our tourist destinations are,” she added.

Frasco, who previously served as mayor of Liloan town in Cebu, cited her province as an example.

According to her, Cebu “has proven very successful that even throughout the pandemic, domestic tourism still flourished” since the DOT regional office, the provincial government, and the LGUs there were all aligned.

“And it is this alignment that we need across all regions that will spell the success of our endeavors in the Department,” Frasco said.

Frasco earlier announced she will embark on “listening tours” to hear for herself the challenges and problems that regions and tourism stakeholders in the country face.

Among the issues raised so far include fund availability and utilization, tourism infrastructure and transportation, the DOT said.

Frasco also assessed the possibility of developing more air and seaports and additional routes to create more convenient connections for domestic and international visitors.

“I’m hopeful as well that you would be open to the innovations we wish to introduce to the Department, if only to fulfill our President’s vision to equalize opportunities for tourism promotion and development across the Philippines,” Frasco said.

“On one hand, to maximize the potential of our already well-known tourist sites and, on the other hand, to further develop areas that have not necessarily been given equal attention,” she added. – Christine Annie Asistio, INQUIRER.net intern

/MUF