By Prince Golez
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has underscored the need to improve policies and infrastructure to strengthen the country’s tourism industry.
During a Cabinet meeting he presided virtually, Marcos Jr. cited Singapore’s in the tourism sector despite having limited natural resources.
The city-state demonstrated how “critical” policy and infrastructure are in boosting tourism, the President said Wednesday.
“That means that it can be done. We just have to support the plan to develop all of these enabling environment – the policy, conditions, and infrastructure,” according to him.
He added that “ease of getting here, getting around, arranging for tours, getting drivers… finding a hotel” are all examples of what is meant by “ease of doing business” in tourism.
Marcos Jr. also spoke about how healthcare facilities in popular tourist areas like Boracay may be improved, citing the arrangement implemented in Hawaii and Thailand.
“[Sa] beach, maraming police and everything… So, if anything happens along that stretch, meron silang tatakbuhan kaagad. The lifeguards know exactly where to bring them. That is supported by the local industry. Toka-toka sila, to keep a doctor there, to keep a nurse there,” the chief executive said.
For her part, Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco stated that the Philippines is “certainly not at a disadvantage” in terms of natural resources, talent, products, and people.
“Certainly, many measures could be improved as far as policy regulations, both on the national and local level, and proper coordination – to be able to focus on the overall tourist experience from the time that he arrives to the point of entry to the time that he gets to his point of destination,” said Frasco.
