Bigger influx of tourists, balikbayans expected this month

The Department of Tourism (DoT) is expecting a bigger turn-out of tourists this month with the traditional homecoming of overseas Filipinos and contract workers from different parts of the globe to be with their families and relatives for Christmas.

The DoT Research and Statistics Office believes that the department is likely to surpass its 2.3 million target this year with the sustained upswing in visitor arrivals.

Tourist arrivals from January to October is up 24.3 percent, from 1,497,989 last year to 1,861,497 this year.

DoT Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano expressed confidence that the enhanced and focused marketing plans being crafted by DoT would bring more tourists to the Philippines next year and in the succeeding years hoping to meet the target of five million tourists, five million jobs and $10 billion in tourism revenues by 2010.

A total of 32,902 former Filipinos residing abroad and 6,590 overseas Filipinos has already arrived last month with the onset of the holiday season.

Likewise, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported a total of 58,154 estimated arrivals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) from Nov. 1 to 11.

"Presently, the DoT is upgrading and strengthening the frontline services at the airport and seaports to ensure fast, friendly and flexible service that will enhance the country’s image as a major competitor in global tourism," Durano said.

The DoT is increasing the number of trained Chinese, Japanese and Korean speaking interpreters at NAIA 1 and NAIA Centennial Airport in Metro Manila and Mactan International Airport in Cebu. These multi-lingual speaking interpreters will man the newly installed tourism booths at the airports to assist incoming passengers to the immigration counters.

Meanwhile, more than 10,000 foreign delegates from Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, United States, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Guam, China and Mongolia are attending the 43rd Orient of Southeast Asia Lions (OSEAL) Forum in Manila today, disproving negative travel advisories on the Philippines.

Durano said, "The convention in Manila gives us the chance to show our guests the real situation in our country disproving all the negative advisories and bad publicity that touched on the peace and order situation. We can also reaffirm the country as a convention capital in the Asia Pacific region."

The 4-day forum, with the theme "Onward Lionism through Friendship and Service," will have President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo as the guest of honor during the opening ceremonies on Dec. 3, 2:30 p.m. at the Folk Arts Theater.

Lions International director general and chairman of this year’s OSEAL forum Pedro Balbanero said, "Local and foreign delegates all over the Orient will be reunited with old friends to renew global commitment to serve and rededicate themselves to the mission and vision of the Lions Club."

The activity is expected to generate at least R1 billion in tourism receipts.

[ Folk Arts Theater Wiki ]