PBBM says tourism sector should focus on ‘experiential tourism’ during SONA
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00The tourism industry has been one of the country's fastest-growing industries,
00:04having caught up with 2019 banner numbers and 94% of the global recovery average.
00:11With its eyes set on the prize, the Philippine Experience Program has been put in place
00:16to focus not only on destinations but on the country's diversity,
00:21cultural heritage, and objective spirit or identity.
00:24This plus a paperless visa and customs forms policy going forward
00:29make up for a recipe for success as our Rod Lagustad reports.
00:36Experiential Tourism
00:38This was emphasized by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. for the tourism sector to focus on,
00:43in his third State of the Nation Address.
00:45According to the President, the tourism challenge has already evolved,
00:49which requires a multifaceted strategy.
00:52This is an imperative, and that we must elevate and expand our understanding
00:58of the one town, one product, or OTOP concept.
01:02It must not inhibit, but rather it must inspire.
01:06We must not rest content to have just one.
01:11Rather, we must seek the optimal number of high-quality products and services,
01:16which at the same time showcase our community's distinctive history, traditions, and talents.
01:23As such, the Department of Tourism continues in its commitment
01:26to bring more benefits into the country.
01:28The department already launched the Philippine Experience Program,
01:31which seeks to introduce the various tourism offerings of the country
01:35that feature the different regions.
01:36Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco said that aside from the country's famous tourist destination,
01:42it highlights the culture, heritage, and identity of Filipinos,
01:45while the DOT continues to expand the country's tourism portfolio.
01:50Very much into the collaboration with the private sector,
01:56as far as ensuring that when our tourists come to the Philippines,
01:59they're able to enjoy the many other offerings of the country.
02:04And this includes our dive tourism, our golf tourism, and especially as well halal tourism.
02:12Also, the government's push for streamlining the travel process,
02:16such as having paperless immigration and custom forms, benefits the tourism sector.
02:21And soon, the piloted e-gates will be standard fixtures at airports
02:25to further facilitate ease of mobility during departures and arrivals.
02:30And with all this said, the implementation of the Philippine e-visa
02:35will be next in our digital transformation agenda.
02:38In connection with the president's directive,
02:40the DOT expects more international arrivals in the country.
02:44According to Frasco, this will help keep up with the neighboring countries in the ASEAN.
02:49The secretary also stressed the importance of visitor receipts or tourism spending.
02:53What we're seeing is that the Philippines has already recovered over 100 percent
02:58of its visitor receipts from its 2019 numbers,
03:01and also exceeds the 94 percent global average of recovery as far as visitor receipts is concerned.
03:08From this, the DOT sees that when the Department of Foreign Affairs implements an e-visa policy
03:14with the help of the Bureau of Immigration, along with the improvements in the country's airports,
03:18the tourism industry will grow and develop much faster.
03:22Rod Laguzed, from the National TV Network, for a new and better Philippines.