The MICE and Tourism Industry stakeholders in the Philippines need financial aid from the government because of Covid19.
Most of the MICE and Tourism Industry players are SME companies that have limited funds and are easily affected by the current pandemic. Add to the fact that NEDA estimates that 30 million to 40 million jobs are lost because of the current situation.
The 14 Billion budget allotment for the Department of Tourism programs and projects is good news. However, tourism stakeholders hope that some of the funds will be placed as financial aid to the stakeholders and stakeholders’ staff.
Nobody saw this pandemic coming. The Philippines is one of the top 10 countries dependent on Tourism the effects are chilling. The possible financial stimulus that the Department of Tourism will infuse to the stakeholders can serve as oxygen that will resuscitate tourism companies gasping for air.
Now that the budget allotment is officially declared, the next question is will there be financial aid allotted to the stakeholders?
If there are the implementation guidelines must now be drafted and ensure the speed of distribution. The tourism industry stakeholders need this badly.
Travel Philippines Expo is set this December 9-11, 2011 at Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall. Travel Philippines focuses on the advocacy of promoting the Philippines' beauty and attraction that Filipino should be proud of. With this year’s theme: “Travel the Philippines & Experience its Wonder” the expo aims to showcase national parks, eco-tourism sites, beach resorts, scuba diving,golf courses, trekking, festivities, medical tourism, regional delicacies and native products from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.
The objective of the event is to encourage OFWs and Balikbayan to spend their holidays in the different tourist spots that our country offer.
The Department of Tourism aims to target 32 Million local tourists in the country by 2016. Travel Philippines Expo was created to support and achieve this goal.
With this, more local tourists travelling interisland would mean more job opportunities for Filipino especially at rural areas. This will fulfil the projection of making tourism a key to our country’s economic progress.
The event will also offer lots of fun filled activities and surprises that guarantee fun and entertainment to the visitors.
The event is organized by Exlinkevents for more information call tel. no. 6433887
There is good news to look forward to in our tourism landscape. The first one is the application of United Air Lines, a US based company; and Jet Airways, an India based company to have flights in our country.
This positive action happens despite complaints against our country for charging discriminatory tax policy favoring our local airlines. I only imagine how many airlines will seek application to have flights in our country if this tax is removed. Now that is an open skies policy that will push us at the center of tourism and no more the best kept secret of Asia.
Another is the planned casino and shopping mall to be opened this 2012 at the Subic Bay Freeport. This will boost the tourism that is already stronger at Subic.
Last but not the least, is the appointment of Secretary Ramon Jimenez, I think his character gels well with the needs of the industry. He is an advertising and marketing guy that is so capable of marketing the Philippines to the world.
So it seems things are looking-up to our tourism industry and if the tourism congress that is upcoming this September creates a united front then there is no doubt that we will again be on our way to claiming our lost glory in Asia.
It is a great sign that a long term plan for tourism will be crafted in order to create a strategic positioning for our country.
However, I must say that one thing a plan cannot do is to make it a reality. A plan is a piece of paper and sooner that plan is finished and is put into ACTION the better.
Action that is judiciously crafted is better than a haphazard action that is only meant for PAPOGI like the now famous case of “Pilipinas Kay Ganda” branding.
Action after a well thought our plan is the solution to our ailing problems in the tourism and MICE industry.
Action coming from experts not as what Cito Beltran’s article today a bunch of Student Council leaders running a National Government.
