Continuity and more, not drastic changes
Incoming President Rodrigo Duterte’s very famous campaign slogan “Change is coming” has truly captured the imagination of close to 39 percent of our voting population. The fact is, it catapulted him to the highest position in the land.
Thus, as expected, changes, are indeed felt. First and foremost, before presumptive President Duterte can even warm his seat, he already changed Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo. For whatever real reasons, only he would know. Some sectors though have strongly agreed with the change as Atty. Panelo cannot even control his arrogance in a parking incident.
On the other hand, some quarters have unceasingly asked if, with such slogan, sweeping changes are coming. That everything, good or bad, should be changed and replaced with programs that are authentically “Tatak Duterte”.
Truly, it is understandable that all of President Aquino’s appointees must go. However, it is also undeniable that some of these soon-to-be replaced appointees have initiated and implemented programs and projects in their respective turfs that were good and are worth continuing.
Sadly, this country, historically, in every change of leadership, has this propensity of trivializing good efforts changes in leadership, they never changed their slogans and are continuously raking in tourists in millions annually.
Apparently, the issue is not more on the slogan or on promotions and marketing. As far as Cebu and the rest of the country are concerned, the big question is, what kind of tourism products are we promoting. Or, more appropriately, is there a good product worth promoting. So that, hopefully, of the three significant areas of tourism, which are product development, adequate infrastructure and promotion and marketing, she will invest more time on the first two.
Specifically, therefore, the key now is for DoT (in coordination with the private sector and LGUs) to develop products and places of interest. Hand-in-hand with other line agencies, this government should take the initiative of making these products and places of interest reachable by providing the much-needed infrastructure.
Let us leave the promotions’ augmentation to the private sector. We all know too well that the private sector (especially, hotels, travel and tour organizers), profitoriented as they are, can always find ways of letting the world know how great our products and spots are.
Indeed, it is true that tourism, despite the global economic crunch, is still a multi-billion dollar industry. However, it largely depends on the availability of patrons’ leisure time and disposable income. Therefore, the industry’s survival solely depends on the moneyed leisure lovers’ willingness to spend. Thus, their preferences are first and foremost in the minds of both major and minor players in the industry.