Hospitality is a major asset

Title

Language

English

Source

The Republic Volume I (Issue No.16) 16-31 August 1976

Year

1976

Subject

Tourism -- Philippines

Hospitality industry -- Philippines

Philippines -- Department of Tourism

Presidential Decree No. 189

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Abstract

[This article presents the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 189 where the government efforts in tourism development are expanded and integrated through the creation of the Department of Tourism (DOT).]

Fulltext

6 16-31 August 1976 The Government L THE REPUBLIC Hospitality is a major asset THE national policy on tourism de velopment is: “To make the tour ism industry a positive instrument to ward an accelerated national develop ment through which more people from other lands may visit and better appre ciate the Philippines and through which Filipinos may learn more about their own country—its beauty, history and culture-thus developing a greater sense of pride and commitment ,to their na tion.” This was contained in Presidential Decree No. 189 issued on May 11, 1973. The PD also expanded and integrated government efforts in tourism develop ment through the creation of the Dethe development of tourist attractions, and provided financial assistance to local investors. Still, the DOT faces several problems in promoting our country as the top tourism destination in South east Asia. Problems. The most glaring prob lem is the lack of suitable hotel accom modations for the growing number of tourists. The completion of some 14 hotels in time for the October IMFWorld Bank meeting will add 6,256 rooms to the existing 7,419 interna tional-standardrooms. The DOT has also acquired a number of accommodation facilities from the defunct Board of TravTOURIST RECEIPTS (IN MILLION US$) partment of Tourism (DOT). For so long, the Philippines had been at the tail-end of the lucrative tourist traffic in Southeast Asia. While Hongkong, Bangkok and Singapore have been quick to exploit the booming tour ist trade, particularly from the Japanese, Manila continued to experience minis cule gains in tourist arrivals. The primary reason for this was the international reputation of Manila then as a city of guns and violence. The declaration of martial law has drastically improved the peace and order conditions in the country-to a point where the Philippines has become one of the safest tourist destinations in the region. Since 1972, tourist arrivals in our country has grown at an unprecedented pace. Income from tourism has more than doubled in just three years—from US$67.8 million in 1973 to $155.2 million last year. Tourism, indeed, has become one of our top dollar-earning industries. Aside from improved peace and order conditions, another factor in the f a ‘ .rivird growth of"ihe industry is the liberal incentives package the gov ernment, through the DOT, has offered to local and foreign investors in tourism projects. Under the Tourism Priorities Plan, the government has pinpointed the following as priority tourism areas: the Manila Bay region, including Metro politan Manila; the northern Luzon provinces including Baguio; the CebuBohol-Leyte provinces; the Zamboanga area; the Bicol region; the Lake Lanao area; the Iloilo-Negros complex; and the Davao area. The boom in hotel construction has been accelerated by the preparations for the joint meeting of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bankthe largest ministerial conference in the world today-in Manila this October. The meeting is expected to showcase the ideal setting of Manila for international conventions. The convention drive is expected not only to boost the number of “quality tourists” but also to sustain the tourism promotional campaign of our country. Administration. The DOT has ab sorbed the disparate tourism agencies of the government before its creation. Its implementing arm is the Philippine Tour ism Authority (PTA). PTA administers the government’s incentives package to investors in the tourism industry. Two bureaus are under the DOT: the Bureau of Tourism Promotion (BTP) and the Bureau of Special Services (BSS). The BTP is the principal marketing and pro motional arm of the DOT, while the BSS is charged with the task of providing hospitable reception to domestic and foreign visitors and the regulation and supervision of the operations of all tourist facilities and tourism-related ser vices. Programs. During its first three years of existence, the DOT was pri marily concerned with the improvement and expansion of tourism facilities in order to cope with the increasing influx of tourists. Providing direction and lead ership within the tourist industry, the DOT strove to acquire much-needed in frastructure support for the various tour ism development projects, supported el and Tourism, including the Mt. Data Lodge in Benguet, the Banaue Hotel and Youth Hostel in Ifugao. Another problem is the underde veloped state of many of our country’s tourist attractions. The DOT is harnes sing the cooperation of local govern ments in developing their tourist attrac tions. It is encouraging cleanliness and beautification drives in the rural areas as well as initiating the restoration of historical buildings. The DOT, in coope ration with the private sector and other government agencies, has launched the following tQurism development projects: the cleaning and beautification of the Pasig River, the construction of the Philippine Pavilion in Nayong Pilipino, the setting up of the Mt. Samat Guest house in Bataan, and the restoration and beautification of Manila’s Chinatown. DOT is also encouraging the holding of local eve'nts such as the Ati-Atihan, the Moriones Festival and the Christmas Lantern Festival. Another stumbling block to the full development of tourism is the lack of good infrastructure like roads and bridges going to the tourist attractions. The DOT is giving emphasis to tourism development in the rural areas in order to help bridge the gap in economic progress between our urban and rural areas. Tourism has been relegated to a lower priority compared to agriculture and industry in the infrastructure pro gram of our government. Nevertheless, the overall results have been generally supportive of the tourism projects; Guided by the Tourism Priorities Plan, the DOT is working closely with the De partment of Public Highways and the De partment of Public Works, Transporta tion and Communications to define what tourism projects are to be given top pridrity in infrastructure. Primary con sideration is.now being given to the expansion of the Manila International Airport and the improvement of alter nate international airports in Mactan and Zamboanga. Other targets include service roads linking major tourist at tractions to the main highways, bridges, improved communications facilities, im proved feeder airports and domestic seaports. The DOT is also getting help from foreign financial institutions. The World Bank consultants have finished feasibili ty studies on the development of the Looc Tourism Estate. The Asian Devel opment Bank, on the other hand, is un dertaking a feasibility study on a road project that would link Look with Manila. Regulation. To protect tourists as well as the local industry from sub standard accommodations and services, the DOT through the BSS is maintaining a strict guard on the operations of hotels and tourism services. Tourismoriented enterprises may not operate without clearance from the DOT. Tourism-related establishments are inspected and classified in accordance with set standards prior to being issued licenses to operate. The BSS also conducts onthe-spot checks to make sure tourism regulations are being followed. The initial concern of the DOT has been on hotels, travel agencies, restaurants and tour operators. The DOT is now ex panding coverage to include souvenir shops, handicrafts stores and entertain ment presentations in hotels and res taurants. The DOT has also organized aTour-v ist Assistance Unit (TAU) to ensure adequate protection and security to tourists for the duration of their stay. The TAU investigates tourists’ complaints including those against tour operators and tourist guides who demand exh or bitant fees as well as taxi companies with reckless drivers and fast meters. TAU also conducts regular patrol of the Tourist Belt section in Manila. Information and Promotions. The DOT maintains three tourist service units -at the Manila International Airport, at Nayong Pilipino and at the DOT head quarters in Agrifina Circle. They pro vide information and tour guiding help. The BTP is undertaking a vigorous ad vertising and promotional campaign abroad to “sell” the Philippines. The major market targets are Japan, the United States, Australia, West Germany and the ASEAN region. The BTP lays the groundwork for our participation in in ternational exhibits and conferences. One example was our booth in the 9th International Tourism Exchange held in Berlin, West Germany early last year. The BTP also handles the Balikbayan or HoihecomingProgram for Overseas Fili pinos which has become one of the most successful projects initiated by the DOT. □

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6

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