Stakeholders give President Aquino wish list for DOT chief
After a lengthy spat with outgoing Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim, the private sector Tourism Congress (TC) said it was looking forward to a better working relationship with his successor.
The TC, composed of 2,000 members from 70 national associations, had accused Lim of not consulting the body when making tourism-related policies. The group counts travel agencies, hotels and resorts, airlines and other transport companies among its stakeholders.
Lim, on the other hand, had expressed doubt about the TC’s claim that it was the true representative of the tourism industry.
Alma Jimenez, TC president, said the next tourism secretary should be able to work with the body that is designated by law to be the “voice” of the tourism private sector.
“[We express our] full trust and confidence that President Aquino will be able to appoint a new tourism leader who will have the capability to concretize his objective of making tourism one of the country’s engines of economic growth. We are prepared to work with whomever the President will appoint to head the DOT,” Jimenez said in a statement.
She said the TC was aware of the challenging task faced by Lim’s successor—which is to increase Philippine share in the global tourism market. She said the global financial crisis could also mean opportunities for the Philippines as attention may be focused on tourism alternatives. The Asia Pacific region is well-positioned to be a possible investment destination, she added.
“With a united industry, a stronger public-private sector partnership and an enhanced environment for the industry, this can be surmounted. [The TC says] this is the time for moving forward and working hard,” she said.
Jimenez said the TC will not second-guess the President or prejudge his appointee, adding, “We believe that an open mind and willingness to compromise are necessary ingredients for a genuine partnership and as long as these are present, we can work with anybody he chooses.”
Lim snubbed group
The TC had deplored Lim’s alleged snub of the group, his preference for consulting another tourism industry group, and his attempt to modify the implementing rules and regulations of Republic Act No. 9593, particularly the provisions dealing with the TC.
In one TC convention to which the Inquirer was invited early this year, Lim, the guest speaker, and the TC leaders barely spoke to each other. The secretary also delivered a speech that congress members did not appreciate.
“Tourism is a multisectoral endeavor. We hope [the new DOT chief] will be one who is a good and effective leader,” said Jaime Cura, the congress’ external vice president in a phone interview.
Cura said the TC was hopeful the President would choose a new secretary “who can inspire, motivate and unify all the tourism stakeholders toward the goal of making Philippine tourism globally competitive and a genuine growth engine for the national economy.”
“The secretary’s obligation to consult the TC is not dependent on whether he wants to do so or if its members are his type. He should obey the law,” Cura said.
Boracay operators speak
In Iloilo City, resort and tour operators on Boracay, the country’s premier beach destination, said they wanted the next tourism czar to be “more aggressive” in promoting tourism and ensuring government support for the industry.
Dionisio Salme, president of Boracay Foundation Inc. (BFI), said Mr. Aquino should appoint someone who can also ensure the construction of necessary infrastructure, including roads, airports, ports, water and sewerage projects.
Aklan Rep. Florencio Miraflores, chair of the House committee on tourism, said the new Department of Tourism chief should have a management style that would unite the whole industry.
Lim announced his resignation on Friday, effective Aug. 31.
Miraflores, however, praised Lim for being a “dedicated public servant” and said the negative perceptions about him could be the result of his being low-key about his achievements.
Miraflores and Salme acknowledged the significant increase in tourist arrivals due to Lim’s implementation of an “open-skies” policy, which allows foreign airlines to operate direct flights to airports outside Manila, including in the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan.
