Quoting the newly-appointed secretary of the
Department of Tourism Ramon Jimenez, he said that “Tourism is confidence”.
And
I believe that we, Filipinos lack a certain confidence - confidence to say that our country
is beautiful enough for us to be proud and promote it.
How to gain that confidence? Defining tourism into action.
Tourism is improving aged NAIA 1.
Tourism is clearing NAIA 3 issues.
Tourism is removing billboards to conceal slums.
Tourism is relocating slums, instead.
Tourism is decongesting traffic.
Tourism is implementing traffic rules.
Tourism is apprehending traffic and street violators.
Tourism is solving MRT & LRT jamming.
Tourism is improving bus system.
Tourism is fixing flood problems.
Tourism is clearing illegal sidewalk
Tourism is paving “good” roads and streets.
Tourism is providing more attractions.
Tourism is sustaining and maintaining.
Tourism is discipline.
It is easier to think of an out of the box and
creative campaign and promote it in our most strategic way. I am confident that
we can materialize it. And I am sure that it will attract more tourists.
But how many them will stay longer? How many of them will come back? How many
of them will recommend our country to their friends? How
many of them enjoyed?
Are we just targeting first-time tourists?
Maybe, yes.
Do we want them to stay longer or come back? Of course, yes!
Tourism is not only about crafting a perfect marketing
campaign
Tourism is about being a real tourist-friendly
tourist destination.
After all, tourists travel to simply enjoy.
Did they really enjoy their stay?
Are we really worth enjoying?
Or are we just plain promo?
Maybe some would oppose me that our country
is not all about Metro Manila, that the best is yet to experience in the
farthest, highest and deepest points of the country. Yes, it’s true. I agree.
But any country’s capital city should be its primary and best tourist
destination in the first place. It is the gateway of the country. It is in here
that tourists arrive and depart and leave their first and lasting impression.
Indeed,
we have the best beaches, thrilling adventures and must-see natural
wonders, needless to say the best people in the world, but our capital city lacks wonder. I wonder why? The only attraction left in Manila is
the walled-city of Intramuros (hindi pa well-maintained) and the rest are those huge malls. Agree?
Singapore-Bangkok-Kuala Lumpur-Manila, who is the fairest of them all? It is time to revive Metro Manila.
To consider
tourists who travel and prefer urbanity and the city life kind of traveling. After
all, this type of travel is usually associated with the elite. Or
should I say the elite and rich businessmen who travel luxurious,
businessmen who might
invest, businessmen who might provide businesses and eventually jobs,
jobs that are beneficial to
the economy and to the people. It is a cycle. One affects another with proper urbanity comes a deserving investment.
So, how do you define TOURISM?
Quoting again Sec. Jimenez he said that: "Tourism is people's business"
G POINT:
Tourism is about a pleasant experience. It
is not only about why tourists should visit our country, but more on
how they will enjoy their stay, and how this stay will turn into money. Citing for the last time Sec Jimenez: "The ideal tourist is the one who stays longer. Get them to stay longer, they spend more." But how? For me, the ideal tourists are those who recommend and go back.
---------
Department
of Tourism is now gearing up for a new
campaign similar to the world renowned "Wow Philippines" during the term of former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
It is set to launch before this year’s Christmas. But Secretary Jimenez revealed that he is not closing his doors on using "Wow Philippines" again. As of this posting, DOT is currently in work progress on promoting Domestic Tourism through its Pilipinas, Tara Na! campaign.
"Wow Philippines" Slogan (2001-2010)
See related posts:
PHILIPPINE TOURISM: From WOW to what NOW?
Pilipinas, Tara Na! VERSION 1: A Domestic Tourism Campaign
Pilipinas, Tara Na! VERSION 2: A Domestic Tourism Campaign
Photos courtesy of:
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