Gov't targets 6.5 M tourists by 2016

SIARGAO ISLAND ,Philippines  – The administration targets the arrival of 6.5 million tourists in the country before President Aquino ends his term in 2016.

Budget Secretary Florencio Abad, in his speech at the closing rites of the 17th Siargao Cup and Billabong Pro-Junior Asia here, said this surfing island in Surigao del Norte will be included in the Tourism Zone, a list of tourist destinations to be given priority funding. 

Only seven tourist destinations are included in the Tourism Zone in this year's national budget.

“In fact already in our present national budget, we have identified certain places as vital tourism zone(s) that we are determined to develop. Unfortunately, this beautiful island of Siargao and the province Surigao del Norte is not included but let me assure as Secretary of Department of Budget and Management, we will include your island and the province in the tourism zone list maybe next year,” he said. 

Abad said the scenic Siargao island has the potential to become the leading surfing destination in Asia. Aside from surfing, the island also offers game fishing.

“It’s no longer shopping or golf that people look for. They look for culture, nature and heritage and all of these are in Siargao,” he said.  

Abad said the Philippines can take advantage of its proximity to Thailand and Malaysia, which has tourist arrivals of 24 million and 17 million a year respectively, because foreigners visiting these countries may consider visiting the Philippines. 

“Tourism is one of the key industries that we must invest in, as this is one of the priority development agenda of the Aquino administration,” he said.