Sunday, November 24, 2013

DOT sets up ‘Bangon Tours’ to speed up tourism recovery

AMID Yolanda devastation, the Department of Tourism has spearheaded the “Bangon Tours” a program undertaken by travel agencies and tour operators to maintain and strengthen the health of the country’s domestic tourism to push international tourism, and to speed up recovery.


This was reported by DOT on the inquiry made by Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago on the state of tourism industry in the country over the impact of Yolanda which could expect decline in tourist arrivals.

According to the DOT, it still estimates the average tourism growth rate to be at 6% by year-end and submits that there is no need to increase the budget for tourism.

The DOT claimed that it will realign its budget to create and implement special market recovery plans that would focus on specific destinations, such as Boracay, Palawan, Batanes, and other areas not affected by Yolanda.


In her written inquiry to DOT during Senate plenary deliberations on the department’s budget, Santiago asked, “Should we not expect the same decline in tourism in the affected areas of the Visayas region and by how much?”

In a letter response dated 20 November 2013, the department claimed that it projects only a slowdown in the arrival growth rate, but not a significant decline.

“The Philippines is in a very much different position compared to Haiti. Tourism activities continue in many of the country’s different regions. Boracay, Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, and Bacolod [remain] open for business with their respective ports of entry still accessible to tourists,” the DOT said.

Santiago likewise inquired as to the department’s estimate for the decline and even suggested adjusting the DOT’s budget to respond to the tourism needs of affected provinces.

“We should set up a plan to keep tourism alive in the affected areas. That should be part of the rehabilitation process in order to keep the province alive,” the senator said.

The post DOT sets up ‘Bangon Tours’ to speed up tourism recovery appeared first on Remate.


.. Continue: Remate.ph (source)



DOT sets up ‘Bangon Tours’ to speed up tourism recovery


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