Tourism industry sees better future with new tie-up

Tourism players in Cebu from the public and private sectors are optimistic of the industry’s future after the private sector-led Tourism Congress and the Department of Tourism ironed out their differences.

Director Rowena Montecillo of the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas told Cebu Daily News yesterday that with this development, the Tourism Congress elected their second batch of officers and agreed with the Tourism Department to amend the Congress’s by-laws especially in the process of becoming a member of the group.

“This is a positive development for the tourism industry because now we can move forward and deal with bigger issues in the industry together as a whole,” Montecillo said.

Last year, the private sector-led organization expressed their dissapointment after former Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim failed to recognize the Tourism Congress as a legitimate organization mandated under Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009.

Lim was also criticized for his firing of some members of the board representing tourism attached agencies—Tourism Promotions Board, Tourism Investment and Enterprise Zone Authority and Duty Free Philippines Corp.

Lim also received flak for his changing of the Wow Philippines slogan to the unfavored “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” slogan.

Newly appointed Tourism Secretary Ramon R. Jimenez, however, sat down and resolved the issues with the Tourism Congress.

Montecillo said the organization amended its Implementing Rules and Regulations on membership, which would now allow individual enterprises to become a member and participate fully with voting power.

However, before they can become members, the individual enterprises must first get an accreditation from the Tourism Department.

“By first quarter of 2012, we shall be releasing the checklist for accreditation of the accommodations sector then we’ll move forward with other sectors identified including travel and tour services, tourist transport services; meetings, incentive travels, conventions and exhibitions/events (MICE); tourism estate developers and management services; and other tourism related enterprises,” Montecillo said.

In the region, there are 283 accredited entities as of Nov. 8. with the majority coming from Cebu with 219 accredited companies and institutions.

Former DOT regional director Patria Aurora Roa said she was happy about the development and that the industry as a whole could benefit from it.

“I look forward to seeing more work from both ends, the DOT working hand in hand with the Tourism Congress and achieving more for the industry,” Roa said.

Jenny Franco, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) Cebu chapter president, agreed with Roa saying that they were more optimistic about the industry moving forward in a more unified, smoother and well collaborated phase now.