TOURISM-RELATED NEWS

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Tourism’s share in nat’l income is understated, executives  say

Acknowledging the growing importance of the tourism industry in the economy, tourism ministers in the Asian region are pushing for a satellite account that would measure the actual contribution of the sector in the national income. In the Philippines, Tourism Secretary Richard J. Gordon said the dollars spent by tourists would change hands about 15 times, thus creating a cycle of transactions that facilitate economic development.

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BW, p. 11

Asian tourism fights SARS stigma

The threat of SARS may be waning in the Asia-Pacific but the tourism industry is still smarting from its impact and must buckle down to repair the damage to its image, experts said. Travel industry officials have begun work on “Project Phoenix,” a cooperative campaign to convince the public it is now safe to return to Asia after the World Health Organization (WHO) lifted travel advisories against all areas but Beijing.

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BW, p. 11

‘Culture of tourism’ among local execs, residents to be promoted

Travel and tour operators will start training and educating local government executives, specially barangay officials, on the mechanics of a program that would develop a “culture of tourism” among local officials and residents. “We want to help Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon, who has been tireless in promoting the country and making it bounce back from the SARS crisis,” Robert Lim Joseph, SOS and NITAS president said.

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Tonight,

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Malaya, p. 7

Top tourism developer to infuse P100M for Subic convention center

Rajah Group of Companies (RGC), one of the country’s top developers of tourism facilities, has committed to invest P100 million for the setting up of a world-class convention and exhibit center in this Freeport zone. The convention center will rise on a 1,565-square meter area. It will have eight multi-function rooms on the second floor with 40-200 seating capacity.

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DT, p. 11

Flesh trade rampant in Boracay, cops say

The Philippine National Police (PNP) in Western Visayas confirmed that indeed, there is a problem on prostitution in Boracay Island. Chief Supt. Marcelo Navarro Jr., director of the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) is soon meeting with resort owners and managers to have an “integrated approach” to minimize, if not really eradicate, the problem on peace and order, prostitution and stray dogs.

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MB, p. G-3

Wow! (photo)

Wow! Manila Mayor Joselito Atienza and wife Beng watch in awe a fireworks display at Baywalk on Roxas Boulevard as part of the celebration of Araw ng Maynila which will be observed tomorrow.

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DT, p. 12

‘So I See’ column by Lito Banayo

Utang na loob. It is a reversed tradition, almost sacred culture among Filipinos. But it didn’t work for poor Roland Rueca. Roland was a recording clerk at the office of the general manager of the Philippine Tourism Authority, appointed to that meager-paying job in contractual acapcity by the appointee of his uncle, a former president no less. When Erap appointed a new GM, Roland was afraid he would have to bundle himself back to Asingan in Pangasinan, as the usual choo-choos were telling the new boss he was a relative of his president’s political adversary.

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DT, p.5

‘Caput’ or kaput?

House Minority Leader Carlos Padilla reminds us the Philippines spends the least on education among Asian countries, quoting data from the United Nations Development Program. The Philippines spends $138 on basic education per pupil per year, compared to Japan’s $3,872, Singapore’s $1,582 and Thailand’s $852. Meanwhile, the Philippine education budget has increased only by 1 percent the past year and this year, compared to a 25 percent increase in the Department of Tourism’s budget this year.

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DT, p. 5