Vol. XXI, No. 166 [ Business World Online ]
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 | MANILA, PHILIPPINES
THE PHILIPPINE tourism industry is expected to earn at least $15.1 billion — or about P636.4 billion — this year, a report of the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) said.
WTTC, a global organization of travel executives, said local tourism activity is expected to generate 3.54 million jobs.
A Department of Tourism (DoT) statement quoted Tourism Secretary Joseph Felix Mari H. Durano as saying that the government is keen on sustaining last year’s momentum by focusing on high-value products, and encouraging tourists to stay longer and spend more.
DoT data showed the country attracted about 3.091 million tourists last year, an 8.7% increase from 2.843 million last year.
Last January, tourist arrivals rose 7.8% to 293,803 from the 272,525 recorded in the same month last year.
"The WTTC study largely confirms our positive outlook for the local tourism industry as a major contributor of employment and livelihood," Mr. Durano said.
The 2008 Tourism Satellite Accounting research is conducted yearly by the WTTC to measure the contribution of travel and tourism to a country’s economy. The report covered 176 countries.
Tourism exports, defined as expenditure by international visitors, are expected to rise to P695.7 billion by 2018 from P262.3 billion this year.
This jibes with official data, which show tourists spending a total of $4.885 billion, or P203 billion, last year — up 40% from $2.622 billion, or P109 billion, in 2006.
The government targets to raise total tourist spending this year to P5.8 billion, or some P241 billion.
"The moderate development for the Philippines is in keeping with the research team’s observation of an overall deceleration in the global industry, which is challenged by the Unites States economic slowdown and weak dollar, higher fuel costs and climate change issues.
"The continued strong expansion in emerging countries, both as tourism destinations and an increasing source of international visitors, means that the industry’s prospects remain bright into the medium term," DoT cited the WTTC report as saying. — B. S. S. Domingo
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