MANILA—It was envisioned to be a partnership between the government and the private sector, but yesterday outgoing Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim and Tourism Congress (TC) vice president Jaime Cura traded strong accusations that bared what apparently has been ailing the tourism sector since last year.
According to Cura, Lim “ignored and snubbed” the Tourism Congress, a private body created under the Tourism Act of 2009 to help the government frame policies on tourism. The Congress’ members included national associations of tourism enterprises such as hotels and resorts, travel agencies, airlines and transportation companies.
Lim denied this. “I invited them to my consultation, and they invited me to their meetings. But when I turn my back, they say something else. Medyo insecure sila,” he said. Cura and Lim were interviewed on Radyo Inquirer 990AM.
Lim denied he ignored the TC. The problem, he said, was that some of their members resented his decision to revise the Internal Rules and Regulations or implementing guidelines of the congress.
Lim also said the officers of the TC were elected under the IRR which he wanted to revise.
Cura, however, said the problem was in Lim’s management style.
“Hindi siya mahilig sa consultation. He is aloof, snobbish. He is thorough and educated, but not friendly,” Cura said.
Cura accused Lim of siding with a travel agency which questioned the IRR of the Tourism Congress. “Lim listened to this small company at the risk of alienating the rest of us,” Cura said.
Cura said the Congress was not pushing for any personality to take over from Lim, but just someone who can be an “inspirer, motivator and unifier” in the tourism industry. INQUIRER