Phl tourism industry in the midst of an 'exciting period' - DOT Usec

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga, Nov 14 (PIA) -- Philippine tourism is in the midst of an “exciting period” with the Departments of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and Transportation and Communication (DOTC) allotting billions of pesos for the industry next year.

In his speech during the opening of the third Northern Philippines (NorthPhil) Tourism and Travel Expo in Angeles City on Friday, Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Daniel Corpuz said, "DPWH will allocate P12 billion of their 2013 budget to improve roads connecting the airports – our central business districts within the radius of 50 km to our natural tracks. Likewise, DOTC have committed P3 billion to support the improvement of our networks."

Apart from tourism infrastructure, Corpuz added that DOT will also be improving its software in terms of greeting and enticing visitors and is set to form a technical working group with Bureau of Immigration and Department of Foreign Affairs to look into easing the issuance of Philippine visas to potential foreign tourists.

"One endeavor that the tourism department would be looking into is the visa upon arrival which most Asean-member states adopted before. This move would practically double the number of foreign tourists in our country and can meet the Aquino administration’s 10 million overseas visitors target by 2016,” Corpuz disclosed.

Corpuz served as guest of honor during the opening rites of the third NorthPhil.

The annual exposition showcases the rich culture and tradition, distinctive products, and picturesque locations of Ilocos region, Cagayan Valley, Central Luzon, and Cordillera.

This was bannered in the pavilions of Aurora, Bulacan, Nueva Ecija, Pampanga and Tarlac; Clark Development Corporation, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority; DOT regional offices 1,2,3, and CAR; and corporate booths of various tourism-related businesses such as hotels, resorts, and airlines.

Aside from the expo, the three-day affair also had theatrical cultural presentations, corporate game shows, product presentations, raffle draws, and crafts and culinary demonstrations.

Corpuz noted, “The expo is indeed an excellent platform in showcasing what the one side of the country, the northern part, holds.”

Figures from DOT reveal that tourist spots in Regions 1,2,3 and CAR substantially contributed by about 11.37 percent of the country’s $2.5 billion tourism receipts in 2010 and its major destinations alone accounted for 14 percent of the country’s total foreign and domestic tourist volume last year.

Sourced: pia