Philippine tourist arrivals target ‘a hard task’
The Philippines will have a tough time getting 10 million tourists each year by 2016 amid bad roads and unexpected setbacks, industry officials said on October 22 according to a report in the Inquirer.
Reaching the ambitious target would mean to double the five million visitors expected in 2013, and arrivals would have to grow by 26 per cent annually from 2014, former tourism secretary Narzalina Lim said.
But the country only managed a growth in arrivals of about 11 per cent yearly since 2010, and is now about 16 per cent behind its full-year 2013 target, said Lim.
Domingo Enerio, chief executive of the government’s Tourism Promotions Board, agreed his task was a tough one, but added: “We still sincerely believe that we can do it.”
The government hopes tourism will create seven million jobs and contribute 12 per cent of economic output. The industry now accounts for three million workers and seven per cent of economic output, Lim said, citing government data.
Cesar Cruz, president of the Philippine Tour Operators Association, outlined the challenges.
“We still have to address the road congestion, or the lack of reliable transportation… in most out-of-town destinations. Security and safety need to be improved… There are so many things that need to be done,” he said.
The Philippines will have a tough time getting 10 million tourists each year by 2016 amid bad roads and unexpected setbacks, industry officials said on October 22 according to a report in the Inquirer. Reaching the ambitious target would mean to double the five million visitors expected in 2013, and arrivals would have to grow by 26 per cent annually from 2014, former tourism secretary Narzalina Lim said. But the country only managed a growth in arrivals of about 11 per cent yearly since 2010, and is now about 16 per cent behind its full-year 2013 target, said Lim. Domingo...
The Philippines will have a tough time getting 10 million tourists each year by 2016 amid bad roads and unexpected setbacks, industry officials said on October 22 according to a report in the Inquirer.
Reaching the ambitious target would mean to double the five million visitors expected in 2013, and arrivals would have to grow by 26 per cent annually from 2014, former tourism secretary Narzalina Lim said.
But the country only managed a growth in arrivals of about 11 per cent yearly since 2010, and is now about 16 per cent behind its full-year 2013 target, said Lim.
Domingo Enerio, chief executive of the government’s Tourism Promotions Board, agreed his task was a tough one, but added: “We still sincerely believe that we can do it.”
The government hopes tourism will create seven million jobs and contribute 12 per cent of economic output. The industry now accounts for three million workers and seven per cent of economic output, Lim said, citing government data.
Cesar Cruz, president of the Philippine Tour Operators Association, outlined the challenges.
“We still have to address the road congestion, or the lack of reliable transportation… in most out-of-town destinations. Security and safety need to be improved… There are so many things that need to be done,” he said.
