Philippines backs move to make Asean a single tourism destination

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes recent moves to ensure Southeast Asia’s competitiveness as a single tourism destination in a bid to boost the recovery of the region’s tourism sector.

At the 24th meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Ministers hosted by Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism through a video conference yesterday, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed her support for the updated ASEAN’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2016-2025.

Among the new priority programs identified at the meeting are the adoption of measures and initiatives to support the digitalization of ASEAN tourism, the strengthening of data and information networks, and the conduct of activities to promote connectivity and facilitate travel to and within the region.

The tourism ministers also discussed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, disclosing that ASEAN member states suffered a 75.8 percent drop in tourism receipts, while international arrivals declined by approximately 80.5 percent.

The sharp declines in tourist arrivals and tourism receipts led to significant declines in related industries, such as the accommodations, tours and tourist transport sectors.

“We can only successfully recover from the pandemic if we do so in unity, guided by data and information that lead to effective planning,” Puyat said.

Puyat also stressed the importance of pursuing activities centered on community-based tourism developments, thereby enhancing the sustainability and resiliency of the tourism value chain throughout the ASEAN.

Proposed initiatives under this direction include supporting tourism micro, small and medium enterprises; contributing to programs geared toward reskilling and upskilling tourism workers; and promoting greater inclusivity to generate more jobs for local communities, women, youth, indigenous peoples, minorities, and other vulnerable groups.

“As we implement our plans and programs, it is always prudent to be reminded that the soul of the tourism industry lies with the people we serve and whose lives we aim to uplift through tourism. We must ensure that our workers are covered during these times, especially that we have good policies and mechanisms such as the Mutual Recognition Arrangement for Tourism Professionals that help promote recovery and growth,” she said.