Alternatives

Boracay Island lost an estimated 200,000 tourists from China last May, according to reports. Travel agencies in Beijing reportedly suspended tours to Boracay apparently amid the territorial dispute between the Philippines and China over Panatag Shoal off Zambales.

The standoff is expected to continue as the Philippines prepares to lift a fishing ban in Panatag by mid-July. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has announced it will assist the Coast Guard in providing security to Filipinos who fish in the shoal, a traditional fishing ground for Zambales residents.

With the dispute not likely to be settled soon, the government should assist affected quarters in finding alternatives to the Chinese market. Boracay is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, and there are several countries that the Philippines has barely tapped for travelers.

There are also alternative markets for Philippine products such as bananas, whose entry the Chinese have limited ostensibly due to a pest infestation. While diplomatic and trade officials work out differences with their Chinese counterparts, it would be prudent for sectors affected by the standoff in Panatag to seek opportunities in other countries.

The loss of 200,000 tourists is strongly felt in a country with fewer than four million foreign visitors in 2011. But the incident should provide additional impetus for the government to intensify its efforts to attract more tourists from other countries. The Department of Tourism has launched a new marketing campaign, telling the world that it’s more fun in the Philippines.

Thailand attracted 19 million foreign tourists in 2011 - a year when massive flooding inundated even parts of its capital Bangkok. The Philippines, blessed with many natural attractions, is aiming for a steady increase in foreign tourists until 2016. If the territorial dispute with China becomes a barrier, it should serve as a challenge for the Philippines to work harder to achieve its objective.