RP tourism:Looking back -1

Global tourism was difficult as it faced the crippling and chilling effects of terrorism in 2001. But strategic spadework and diligent homework by the administration of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo served as valuable buoy to pursue further Philippine tourism’s potentials as employment and income generator.

Seven months into handling the tourism portfolio when the Sept. 11 bombings occurred. Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon has set in motion crucial programs from a basic advocacy for the development of a national culture of tourism to a promotions blitz that highlights tourist’s safety and pleasurable experiences in the country.

The year’s arrival graphs showed three crests and troughs. The first major rise in tourism arrivals was in March, two months after the EDSA 2 when the world noted convincing political stability under the present administration and inroads to assure tourists of safety after the Sipadan hostage-taking incident more than a year before.

In January, the variance from 2000 arrivals (188,752) against 2001 arrivals (166,184) was 11.43 percent. The variance rose to 17.63 percent, (17.63) in the months of February with 2001 arrivals for the month at 147,900 against 2000 arrivals of 179,551.

But March showed great improvement with only 2.72 percent variance as the month arrivals for this year was 186,087 against the same month last year with 191,292.

An arrival ditch took place again in May when the Dos Palmas hostage-taking by the same Abu Sayyaf bandits took place. The variance in May 2001 arrivals (159,542) against May 2000 (148,414) was 6.97 percent, dipping again in June with a -8.89 percent variance as the month showed arrivals numbering 145,784 against the same period last year with 160,003 arrivals.

Displaying significant DOT strides in promotions and image corrections for the Philippines, tourism performance improved in August with a low variance of 2.24 percent as arrivals figured 155,437 against 158,991 in the same month last year.

Sept. 11’s disastrous onslaught started a downtrend anew with a -7.2 percent slip which showed arrivals at 119.117 as against the same period last year of 128,312.

A major -24.8 percent drop in October figures took place after the US and Japan issued unfriendly travel advisories against Philippine destinations. Japan cautioned nationals from going to the Philippines under a Level 2 travel advisory.

However, unwavering government action and organized industry protest propelled the Japan foreign ministry to downgrade the advisory to level One, limiting to particular destinations in the South areas covered by the advisory.

The slide in arrivals in November as the month posted a variance of -10.19 percent compared to October’s -24.8 percent. Arrivals in November numbered 129,256 compared to the same period last year with 143,937. Arrivals from January to November 2001 totaled 1,614,410 million compared to the same period last year with 1,8007,452 for a total variance of -9.19 percent.

Promotional thrusts to highlight the mixed-use attractions of the country to particular markets under the “WOW Philippines!” banner and the rationalization of tourism development under the “Hubs and Spokes” system increased the industry’s readiness to weather the crisis and, more importantly, to look ahead with a go-go spirit to put the Philippines back in the region’s tourism map.

In a year, Visit Philippines 2003 is celebrated with the full endorsement of the World Tourism Organization (WTO).

In the International front, the Philippines emerged out of a media slumber to counter sorely persistent negative perceptions affecting tourist safety in the Philippines, previously clobbered by negative news coming out of one of the world’s freest press, the country received a share of good reportage in the world media as a result of DOT networking.

Addressing local business and civic for regional travel trade organizations and world conventions, Gordon put in perspective the isolated incidents of tourist kidnappings such as Dos Palmas incident and the botched attempt on Pearl Farm, marking them against the general peace and order prevailing in thousands of other islands of the archipelago. (PNA)

(To be continued)