RP to reap P4.2 B from Visit Phils ’03

Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon recently expressed optimism that the Philippines will earn at least R4.2 billion from the Visit Philippines (VP) 2003 campaign of the Department of Tourism.

Aside from seeing a huge influx of tourists this year, Gordon said he is confident that the VP campaign will have a trickle-down effect on the economy and the entire country.

He also assured Filipino workers in the tourism and travel industry that there will be more jobs and livelihood opportunities for them during the VP2003 especially since the campaign is being backed by all sectors of the industry including tourism organizations, tourism councils, tour operators, travel agents, transport companies, artists, chefs, merchandisers.

The secretary is also hopeful that the VP will bring in more cash flows to the country especially in key provinces and cities.

“A tourist spends an average of $106 or R5,300 a day on shopping, food and entertainment since they usually stay an average of eight days. So each tourist spend an estimated $848 or R42,000 for the duration of his stay.”

Gordon cited the hotel and restaurant industry as among those that are expected to boom this year as well as resorts located in various tourist destinations across the country.

The demand for cultural performers and artists will increase as more festivals are created and celebrated in the provinces and cities, he added.

More tourist transports and a variety of special tour packages to top attractions are also being readied for visitors coming to the country. Even shopping malls have created their own shopping tour packages for tourists which guarantee a grand shopping experience for the latter and more profit for the mall owners.

Meanwhile, Gordon said he is planning to deploy more policemen in the country’s tourist spots especially in Intramuros which is the main venue of the VP2003 festivities, to ensure the safety and security of visitors.