Group Work: International Tourism

President: Bernardo, April Kaye P.
Rep. of DTI: Julia
Rep. of DFA: Bison, Athena
Rep. of DOT: Badilla, Ralph
Rep. of DBM: Millare, Paolo
Rep. of NHI: Chua, Floren Faye

21st Century International Tourism

International Tourism is one of the ways by which a country prospers economically and the portal to establishing connection with other states. This is one of the effective ways in creating friendly ties with other nations through hospitable accommodation. This is effective for its approach is non-political. Tourism in the Philippines accounts for 8.7 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates approximately five million jobs. The Philippine government, under R.A. 9593, sees the tourism as “AN ENGINE OF INVESTMENT, EMPLOYMENT, GROWTH AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT…” [1]
This policy will introduce timely strategies in conducting tourism. Technology will play a great role in expanding the horizons of tourism. The use of Multimedia will be exercised so as to have an ease of access with other countries and different age level. In terms of the age level, this policy will try to create an internet-based program for the teenagers and children. In this way, they can see other places or recreational activities that will fit their style/likes. We believe it is better that they know so they can tell their parents about it. Rehabilitation of old tourist spots will also be prioritized but will keep in mind ecotourism. This kind of tourism will be sustainable and effective for it will only use the natural and cultural resources, promoting originality and competition.
This will be a long term policy and it will aim to sustain many of the policies from the short term campaigns to advocate a culture of tourism, creating a greater sense of national pride and identity amongst Filipinos. Measures will be taken to demand strong law enforcement from the president to ensure a peaceful and orderly environment.
Not only should the tourism be modernized but the ties also. Our country must exert effort in reaching countries that does not have an established relation with and this will be made possible through the utilization of the World Wide Web. Also, diplomacy will be used as medium for establishing tourism relations. In lieu of this, coordination with the DFA will make diplomacy as a means for tourism will be made.
Advertising will also need a great deal of funding from the central government. Local institutions that will be approached are DOT and DBM. This will also be made possible through the help of some International Organizations; WTO, APEC, FTA and UNWTO. These institutions promote economic partnerships that assures benefit for both parties; with proper practices and trade of top-quality goods, these organizations could act as advertising agents and financial advisers, telling the people of the world that our country possess wonders that are worth discovering.
Given the nature of the Government’s current development priorities, it is clear that in the short to mid 2004 the priorities for the tourism sector are threefold, namely maximizing its foreign exchange earnings, maximizing employment generation capacities outside of the capital and providing a substantial contribution towards the expansion of small and medium sized companies.[4]
The National Historical Institute, in practice, still withholds the principles of Article XV, Section 9, Paragraph 2 of the Philippine Constitution “Filipino culture shall be preserved and developed for national identity” during the regime of then president Ferdinand E. Marcos. [3]
The National Historical Institute would tend to spearhead the idea of restoring landmarks like that of Pugad Lawin in Quezon City and the Pinaglabanan Shrine in Taguig City and ask the help of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as to how to elevate these historical landmarks as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Furthermore, the NHI would be responsible for putting up attractions in the sites via the aid of the Department of Tourism. Reenactments of historical battles would also be spearheaded by the NHI with the aid of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. [3]
In addition to those, this policy will also aim to improve tourism competitiveness through conduction of programs aiming to improve English efficiency of people involved in tourism. Countries such as South Korea and United States have a number of its nationals living and touring in RP for the reason that a lot can speak English. South Korea has a lot of college students here because of the quality education in English.

Sources:
[1] http://www.visitmyphilippines.com/images/ads/cf437edc02be87b47d9aaf9968e1df20.pdf (REPUBLIC ACT No. 9593: Tourism Act of 2009 and Its Implementing Rules and Regulations. DOT Manual Guides. 1/26/2010)
[2] http://www.ecotourismphilippines.com/download/NES.pdf (National Ecotourism Strategy. National Ecotourism Steering Committee. July 2002)
[3] http://www.nhi.gov.ph//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=85&Itemid=4 (Presidential Decree No. 260. 1973)
[4] http://www3.pids.gov.ph/popn_pub/east%20asia_tourism.pdf (WTO and the Government of the Philippines join hands in tourism policy review)