Tourism plans tackled at Phl-EU summit

Tourism was one of the major economic sectors highlighted during the Phl-EU (European Union) Business Summit at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel held last week.

Representing the Department of Tourism (DOT), Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez stressed the need for tourism products and services to provide a unique experience for visitors.

“That is our challenge and our response is three-pronged – structural reforms, innovative product and destination development and creative marketing and promotion,” she said.

She also encouraged the EU representatives to “help spread the good news to get the EU numbers up.” At present, total visitors from the EU account for just a little over three percent of total arrivals, if the UK is not included.

“This means less of your nationals are able to experience the wonderful sights the Philippines has to offer, the health and wellness services that made it to the 6th place in Asia and 19th place in the 2016 Global Medical Tourism Index and the relaxing and laid back atmosphere of our retirement places,” she added.

To ensure a stable baseline market, the undersecretary mentioned expanding tourism reach by revitalizing existing programs like medical and retirement tourism and the MICE segments while developing further products for the four Fs – fun, farm, family and faith tourism.

More importantly, the DOT official stressed that the tourism business should ultimately redound to the improvement of the lives of the Filipinos. With direct and indirect employment, communityprojects and level playing field for MSMEs, the benefits of tourism can spread to the countryside.