Expansion of resorts signals return of confidence in market

By Katlene O. Cacho

ASIDE from the overseas investments, the continued expansions of local stakeholders in the tourism industry have also become engines of growth despite the slowdown of international markets, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said Tuesday.

“The sum of the tourism traffic and the increase of tourism investments define the growth of an area as a tourism destination. Bohol perhaps, is an upcoming tourist destination with the continued growth of the investments being poured in here,” he said during the groundbreaking of the Panglao Bluewater Beach Resort in Bohol, which will be developed by Almont Hotels and Resorts Corp. (AHRC) this year.

The reinvestment and the expansion of local beach resort chains in the country, Durano said, signal confidence in the economy.

“These investments speak more of the health of the industry not only in Bohol but in the entire country,” he said.

However, support infrastructure such as roads, water supply and direct flights should be addressed so that the country can take advantage of its position as one of the premier tourist destinations in Asia.

“There is still a need to improve flights to consolidate our presence in the international market,” he said.

Durano reported that the country’s participation in the Shanghai World Expo this year, for instance, provides the Philippines with an avenue to attract more tourists to come here.

The Shanghai World Expo is touted to be the world’s largest international fair and will be in May to October this year.

The event aims to encourage a harmonious blend of diverse cultures, economic prosperity, innovation and technology, sustainable communities, and healthy interaction between urban and rural areas.

The Philippines will be among the 42 participating Asian countries.

“We will make use of this opportunity to get a good share of international visitors,” he said. Organizers of the expo targets 70 million guests from around the world.

To further attract tourists, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is tapping new markets such as Turkey, Russia and India. “We are also seeing Middle East as a strong market for us,” he said.

DOT last month conducted a tourism road show in the Middle East covering the countries of Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on April 23, 2010.