[ Manila Bulletin Online ] October 23, 2008
SAN FERNANDO CITY, Pampanga — With adequate infrastructure support in place, a top tourism official in Central Luzon sees a hefty growth of the tourism industry even as he called on the stakeholders to prepare for the challenges ahead.
Speaking at the recent Vision-Sharing Workshop organized by the government-run Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Central Luzon Tourism Director Ronaldo Tiotuico cited the newly opened Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEx), the refurbished Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark Freeport, and the world-class North Luzon Expressway (NLEx) as "crucial infrastructures" that would boost the tourism sector in the region.
Tiotuico described the three facilities as significant "milestones" that would provide viable inter-regional tour packages and efficient links to tourist destinations in the north.
He said that traffic congestions and reckless driving usually prevalent on the old routes were a bane to tourism.
"We are now at that point where we can propel Central Luzon as one of the country’s top tourism hubs. The provinces (in the region) feature natural wonders, cultural and historical landmarks, as well as delicious native delicacies. The SCTEx will serve as the visitor’s access to these wonders," Tiotuico said.
He said plans are afoot to respond to the anticipated rapid growth of the tourism industry, including construction of more leisure and entertainment centers adjacent to popular tourist locations in the provinces.
Tiotuico batted for the preservation of tourism sites to ensure a continuous influx of visitors.
He noted that the Philippines has distinct advantages over its Asian neighbors in terms of language, temperament, hospitality and a positive outlook in life that put foreign visitors naturally at ease. Tourists coming from South Korea, Japan, Malaysia and other European countries comprise the majority of foreign visitors this year.
The tourism official also said that medical tourism is fast becoming a sunrise industry in Central Luzon, along with telemedicine and business process outsourcing in medical transcription and bills processing.
