What is Tourism Today?

Quoting the newly-appointed secretary of the Department of Tourism Ramon Jimenez, he said that “Tourism is confidence”.

See related link: http://www.gmanews.tv/video/90065/sona-live-panayam-kay-dot-sec-ramon-jimenez

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 building more accomodation.

 

Tourism is saying no to Metro Manila congestion.

 

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.

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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?

http://gbert-tongo.blogspot.com/2011/04/philippine-tourism-from-wow-to-what-now.html

 Pilipinas, Tara Na! VERSION 1: A Domestic Tourism Campaign

http://gbert-tongo.blogspot.com/2011/08/philippines-domestic-tourism-campaign.html

 Pilipinas, Tara Na! VERSION 2: A Domestic Tourism Campaign

http://gbert-tongo.blogspot.com/2011/09/pilipinas-tara-na-version-2-domestic.html

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