Accompanying these thoughts come some about tourism, in general.
Every time I see Ace Durano on television or happen by a Department of Tourism (DOT) commercial, I am forcibly reminded of how much money the tourism industry is worth anywhere in the world. In some countries, said industry is even the major money earner. In a few, it is the only industry.
Once upon a time in Baguio, tourism was mainly a Holy Week/summer affair.
Business establishments made in the one blessed week enough to keep them afloat for the rest of the year. Insane, but there you have it. Summer was then for those who could afford to be in Baguio, peak prices notwithstanding.
And then the Christmas season became a Baguio season. Semestral break followed suit, likewise the long weekends. Now, it seems that every weekend is a time for tourists to come up and take a breather from the heat. Some days I feel that everyday, tourists are everywhere.
Tourism is certainly alive and well in Baguio, though, as it has been already pointed out many times, revenues from the city's education industry put more in the city's coffers. Still, as an industry, tourism must be appreciated.
However, let me say this. There's something wrong with a prevailing mindset that
Baguio has to be kept clean, beautiful, exciting, and whatnot in order to attract even more tourists than it already does.
I daresay Baguio should be all that for Baguio residents. And life is certainly about more than keeping guests happy.
Actually, I was thinking that, too, about this whole "hospitable" trait that's supposed to be ingrained in the Pinoy, so oftentimes overdone.
