National Tourism Week

WORLD Tourism Day is observed every September 27. In the Philippines, we observe National Tourism Week during the last week of September.

Tourism is not only a major source of valuable foreign exchange. It also serves to promote our country's image domestically and internationally.

As a bridge spanning different countries, tourism promotes friendship and mutual understanding between peoples of different creeds and orientation. It enables different people to overcome cultural barriers and prejudices because tourism promotes knowledge about the country and its people, history, and culture.

Our tourism authorities should exploit every opportunity to showcase not just the beautiful spots and historical sites in our country but also the best qualities that our country and our people can offer to the world. Perhaps even more important, we must promote awareness among our own people the many blessings that God has bestowed on the Philippines.

Pride in every thing Filipino - this should be the long-term theme that we should observe in promoting the tourism industry in our country.

We congratulate the Department of Tourism for its all-out efforts to promote our country as a world-class tourism destination.