In tourism competitiveness, PH trails Asean neighbors

MANILA, Philippines - Despite efforts of the Philippines to help boost tourism competitiveness, the country remains one of the least competitive in travel and tourism among member-countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), according to the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2012.

In last year’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI), the WEF said the Philippines was regarded as the most unsafe country to visit in Asean since it ranked 109th overall with a score of only 4.1 out of 7, the lowest in the region.

Based on the 2011 TTCI, the WEF report ranked the Philippines 94th worldwide and Cambodia 109th, with the two countries showing “serious shortcomings in most pillars” in the index.

The 2011 TTCI showed that Singapore ranked 10th among 139 countries while Malaysia ranked 35th; Thailand, 41st; Brunei Darussalam, 67th; Indonesia, 74th; and Vietnam, 80th.

The index last year was topped by Switzerland.

“Cambodia and the Philippines trail the rest of the region, which is reflected in their performance on individual pillars of the TTCI. Cambodia is the poorest performing Asean country in seven pillars of the Index. The Philippines ranks no higher than 65th in 13 pillars,” WEF said.

The report stated though, that the Philippines’s tourism potential is very high, given that it allows nationals of 151 countries to enter the country without visas. The other countries in Asean that do not require visas from most countries were Malaysia and Singapore, which allow nationals of 163 countries and 159 countries to visit without visas.

The factors that prevent the country from realizing its full potential include safety and security issues as well as poor infrastructure. These, the WEF said, caused the Philippines’s travel and tourism industry to lag behind most of its Asean neighbors.

In last year’s TTCI, when the WEF said the Philippines was regarded as the most unsafe country to visit in Asean since it ranked 109th overall with a score of only 4.1 out of 7, the lowest in the region, the report explained that any time there is a manifestation of any kind of violence, the tourism potential and the attractiveness of a country as a tourist destination get diminished.

This is what happened in January 2012 when the United States Department of State issued a travel warning on the Philippines due to the risk of terrorist activity in certain parts of the country. The Philippines was the only Asean member that was affected by such a measure.

“Any manifestation of violence can potentially damage a country’s image and have a major impact on tourism, as fear can lead tourists and travelers to cancel, postpone, or change their plans. Also, governments are often quick at issuing travel warnings in case of violence, unrest, or risk thereof,” the report said.

The lack of infrastructure has always been cited as a major development constraint of the Philippines. The lack of infrastructure in tourism affects air and ground transportation connectivity in the Philippines, tourism infrastructure such as lodgings and ICT infrastructure.

The report also noted that the other factors affecting the country’s tourism potential were health and sanitation, environmental sustainability and cultural resources.

The WEF cited that tuberculosis cases were still high in the Philippines, while one in five species of animals in the country was threatened. The WEF also said the country has not been that successful in showcasing its cultural heritage.

“The richness of Asean countries’ cultural heritage is beyond doubt. Yet, it seems that these countries are not particularly successful at showcasing it,” the report stated. “The Philippines also is home to three sites, including the Rice Terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras, which, since 2001, is the only property in the region to be on the List of World Heritage in Danger.”

“Travel and tourism are not only critical drivers of economic development and social progress. They also represent a formidable factor of regional integration,” WEF Managing Director Borge Brende said. “By improving connectivity and mobility, travel and tourism contribute to creating a regional identity, a sense of ‘Aseanness’ among citizens.”

The WEF said the report highlighted the potential for developing the T&T sector in Asean and the region’s wealth of natural and cultural heritage. It also discussed the diversity of Asean members that enhances the region’s attractiveness.

In addition, Asean is an affordable destination by international standards. Yet, in most countries, the potential has been only partially tapped, owing to a number of weaknesses. These factors include inadequate infrastructure, poor public health and weak environmental stewardship.

The report said conservation efforts must also be undertaken to protect the region’s natural heritage, which is central to its T&T competitiveness. The report also pointed to the significant benefits of travel and tourism for the economy and society at large.

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