TOURISM BECOMES A TOUGHER SHELL
The Philippine Star
08/27/10

No doubt, the hostage-taking incident last Monday of Hong Kong tourists on a bus in Manila was an isolated incident. Nevertheless, its negative impact on the country’s tourism industry – especially in the light of a recent resolution to make it the flagship of the current administration’s platform for economic activity – will linger for a while.

We’ve barely gotten the blueprint for revitalizing the tourism industry finalized, and it’s now back to the drawing board to recalculate how much that Monday incident would cost. And this is not just about increasing the cost of promoting our white sands and smiling people.

This “minor” hostage incident has taught us that if we really are bent on becoming Asia’s tourist destination, we have to make sure that we are ready to provide not just the infrastructure but also the protection that will assure foreign visitors of a safe stay in the country.

Most of our local tourist officials know that potential travelers to the Philippines always seek assurances that they will be safe when they come here. As an example, even if the Abu Sayyaf’s operation is largely contained in a small part of Mindanao, the world mistakenly still thinks the whole archipelago is vulnerable to this Muslim dissident group.

Threats to tourism

After 9/11, the world had become more wary of terrorism and other threats to tourism. Indonesia, for example, is still hurting from the terrorist attack on Bali in 2002 where scores of European tourists were killed and hurt. Bali for the longest time had been the prime destination choice in Asia.

On the other hand, Thailand has been crippled not just by the militant Red Shirt problem that started last year but also of a current lingering threat of terrorist attacks on its major tourism destinations including Bangkok, its capital city.

The incident last Monday is a wake-up call for us: When we invite foreigners to come to the country, we must display utmost readiness to handle threats to tourists, either organized by terrorist groups or instigated by desperate, disillusioned or psychologically imbalanced individuals.

Economic contribution in jeopardy

During the last years, our tourist arrivals have largely been Asians – Koreans, Japanese, Singaporeans, Chinese, and yes, Hong Kong residents – who have learned to appreciate our glorious sun, amazing beaches, and hospitable demeanor.

The past administration has managed to grow the industry without totally relying on the Western market. While our performance pales in comparison to Thailand, for example, our tourism industry’s contribution to the economy has been stealthily increasing.

This year, tourism is expected to bring in about $12 billion, or 6.9 percent of GDP. Aside from the jobs and export earnings generated, it is a sector that is being opened up to foreign investors who are seeing the country’s potential in other fields such as medical tourism, retirement havens, golf vacation tours, and many more.

After the “Monday incident,” which was generally considered as mishandled and punctuated with “admitted mistakes,” the tourism industry’s contribution to economic growth in the coming years is in jeopardy.

Crisis preparedness and management

Crisis will have different faces, and they often come when least expected. But as any crisis expert will say, these can be avoided. When a crisis does rear up its ugly head, it can be managed correctly and efficiently provided those involved are properly trained.

There are lessons to be learned from last Monday’s incident that will have to be incorporated in the efforts to beef up local police capability to handle crisis situations. It would also help a lot if rules are well spelt out with regards to media coverage.

The whole tourism industry will also have to undergo awareness and readiness training that will prepare them not just to handle emergencies but also to recognize risks that may compromise the safety of tourists.

Capability to care and protect

If we want to see tourism to continue growing and contributing to the national economy, we must start to genuinely nurture it. And this does not only mean having working comfort rooms in domestic airports that service tourist hotspots.

We have to be seen as capable to take care of our visitors, not just by pampering them, but also by placing utmost value in their lives.

More on the oil pipeline

Our column, “Readers on the Oil Pipeline and Senior Citizenship” (Philippine Star, 20 August 2010), featured the concerns aired by readers regarding the integrity of the pipeline connecting the oil facilities at Batangas to the Pandacan oil depots of Shell and Chevron (formerly Caltex).

A rejoinder from reader Enrico Belmonte of Brgy. Valencia, Quezon City, was received with the followings comment:

“I read your Philippine Star article, “Readers on the Oil Pipeline,” about the FPIC oil pipelines. Let me correct the errors mentioned by the reader. The pipeline was built in 1969 not in the 1950s. It is well-maintained to world-class standards. Its safety record is even better than the oil pipelines in the U.S. And there is no leak anywhere in the entire pipeline.

“I know personally the President of FPIC, Mr. Galo Garde. I will forward this email to him and he can give you the facts regarding the pipeline.”

Information from FPIC regarding the condition of the pipeline and the inspection and maintenance activities being undertaken will go a long way to assuage the fears and concerns of the public, particularly those who thinks they are along the path of the oil pipeline.

An invitation to collegiate basketball fans

Students and collegiate basketball fans are invited to join the three ongoing surveys being conducted by the Philippine Collegiate Champions League (PCCL) thru the official website, www.collegiatechampionsleague.net. The survey ends on September 3, 2010.

Respondents are asked to name their choice of the top six teams in the ongoing UAAP and NCAA competitions in the correct ranking order. The top four teams of both leagues automatically earn seats in the Sweet 16 Finals of the 2010 PCCL Philippine Collegiate Championship games, while the fifth and sixth placers will pass through the zonal qualifying games to advance to the finals.

For Cebu fans and those keeping track of the CESAFI games, they are to name the top four teams of CESAFI, also in the correct order of ranking. The top two are seeded in the Finals, while the third and fourth placers will compete in the zonal qualifying games to be held at Cebu City, November 14-17, 2010.

Visit www.CollegiateChampionsLeague.net for more details about the 2010 Philippine Collegiate Championship games. 

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, SalcedoVillage, 1227 MakatiCity. Or e-mail me at reydgamboa@yahoo.com. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net