GMA state visit to China a big boost to RP tourism

Philippine Tourism Authority chief executive officer and general manager Robert Dean Barbers welcomed the announcement of Malacañang in elevating President Arroyo’s trip to Beijing from a working visit to a state visit saying that this will further strengthen RP-Sino bilateral ties and boost the tourism industry in the country.

“The formal invitation of the Government of China for GMA to visit their country all the more gives importance to this event. This will expand new horizon of opportunities to our country in terms of economic, agricultural, trade, defense and tourism initiatives to strengthen our partnership with China,” Barbers said.

Barbers, who recently lead the Philippine delegation in the recently concluded Beijing International Tourism Expo 2004 (BITE 2004) in China, said that the state visit of GMA to China will bolster the country’s efforts in its plans and programs to jumpstart a surge of Chinese travelers and tourists within the next five years.

“We had a fruitful discussion, with the Beijing Tourism Administration, which is the counterpart of our Department of Tourism and the association of travel agencies in China and we were able to establish a commitment to have a mutual agreement to encourage them to visit our country that offers value for money in visiting our famous tourist attractions,” Barbers said.

Barbers likewise said that the China Association of International Friendly Contacts (CAIFC) was instrumental in helping the bilateral agreement with the tourism government agencies of both countries set up a mutual assistance accord in bringing Chinese tourists and travelers visit the Philippines.

GM Barbers said that the PTA will fervently pursue its plans and programs in identifying area for tourism development in the country and market its existing tourism entities to effectively help further raise the agency’s income now that the Arroyo administration has signified its total support to boost the country’s tourism development that plays a vital role to increase government revenue to solve the nation’s financial strain.