Crisis management plan tailored for tourism

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism(DOT) aims to improve the industry’s resiliency in dealing with natural and man-made disasters as it launches a crisis management plan.

Earlier this week, the DOT unveiled the PUKSA Crisis Management Process Flow, a crisis management program tailored for the tourism industry.

“It will become a continuing cycle of establishing systems and procedures to be used in combating risk factors identified as PESTE: Political turmoil, Economic instabilities, Social disturbances, Technological attacks and Environmental hazards,” the DOT said.

The development of the PUKSA workflow aims to ensure the readiness and resilience of the tourism industry in the future.

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Teo said the Philippines still has the potential to be a top travel destination not only in Asia, but in the world, given its structural advantage.

Teo, however, acknowledged the challenges of safety and security concerns brought by risk factors such as natural calamities.

 “The DOT continues to face challenges of uplifting tourism amid perceived security and safety problems. Another factor is the perception of the Philippines as the center of natural calamities such as typhoons flash floods and earthquakes,” Teo said.

She added that the DOT and other tourism stakeholders have the shared responsibility of being able to guarantee safety and security throughout the country.

Meanwhile, Tourism Undersecretary Alma Rita Jimenez also encouraged stakeholders to be involved by learning the ways of prevention, management and mitigation in the events of crises.

Jimenez emphasized the importance of identifying hazards and risks and considering their implications on tourism facilities and the economic sector in general as the industry banks on the economic impact of the marketed destinations.