Be registered, pay taxes

WITH social media dominating this age, the tourism industry showed tremendous gains globally.

The game changing media platform has also sparked the interest of many to visit places and experience different socio-cultural tourism activities. Unknown spots were known, and what were known before were even promoted further.

In Davao City, for instance, tourist arrivals ballooned by 16.89 percent to 342,077 as of February 2018 from 292,653 covering the first two months of the year. In 2017, the city breached the 2 million mark in tourist arrival, a milestone for the city and all players. The resorts and hotel owners are the ones benefitting from this development.

However, in a thriving industry, not all seem to be going to the same direction as some chose to drain the gains made throughout the years. Yes, we are talking about the unregistered, tax delinquent resorts and hotel owners who are sucking all the blessings but not playing its part as responsible tourism players.

Davao City Council Committee Chair on Tourism Al Ryan Alejandre has raised this issue last month following the report of Business Bureau that about 27 inland resorts operating in Marilog District without securing a business permit and a clearance from the National Commission on Indigenous People (NICP) since these areas at Marilog are ancestral domains.

Meanwhile, tourism and investments officer of Island Garden City of Samal (Igacos) Jennifer Cariaga said the city government is also going after some 10 hotels and resorts operating in the island that have yet to complete their business permit registration.

All sides considered, it is but necessary for the LGUs to chase after these non-compliant industry players as it impedes the development and growth of their cities.

The plan to create Task Force Marilog to handle this issue can be helpful in putting an end to this problem.

To the resorts and hotel owners who have been abiding with the law, good job, may you continue to promote sustainable tourism. To those who are on the opposite side, for now, know that it is never too late to do the right thing. Cooperate with the government, give back to your community and never just be a sucker of your community’s wealth.

After all, what is needed for a nation to grow, is a strong partnership among the government sector, the private sector and the communities.