Friday, September 05, 2008 2007 breakthrough in nation's tourism industry
THE past year was a breakthrough in the country's tourism industry.
Amid threats to security and negative advisories issued to foreign travelers, Tourism Regional Director Purificacion Molintas said 2007 was generally a good year for the industry.
Echoing Tourism Secretary Ace Durano's report, Molintas said three million tourists visited the country the previous year. The department has long-targeted this number but fell short of the projected arrivals.
In the coming years, Molintas said the Department of Tourism (DOT) hopes for government to continue improving facilities geared towards proving easier access for tourists to tourism sites. These include continuing concreting of roads and improvement of seaports and airports.
The last two are critical in improving the tourism industry, Molintas said. She added that although the country's international airports have been improving, this is not enough to accommodate the demand of bigger airlines.
In countries where there is high number of visitors, the country's international airports pales in comparison, Molintas said.
Seaports likewise have to be improved.
Tourists visiting Singapore can easily go to Indonesia or Malaysia because of the availability of ferryboats, which would transport them from one archipelago to another.
Such transportation facility is not available in the country however, Molintas said, as seaports are limited as wharf for military and oil vessels. The DOT is eyeing five million foreigners to visit the country annually. (RO)
