EDITORIAL - A flame for 2013

Amid all the gory, violent news at the start of the year, there was some good: Philippine tourism destinations are increasingly catching the attention of international travelers. Conde Nast, magazine for discriminating travelers, started the year by picking the Philippines as its new “flame” for 2013. Individual destinations and hotels in the country are also winning recognition from other travel publications, websites and networks such as CNN.

The nation must not lose the momentum. With more people wanting to take a look at the Philippines, we must aim to please, and make first-time visitors want to come back. Communities are finding out that travelers like a clean, green and safe environment. Eco-friendly tourism tends to draw more visitors as public awareness of cleanliness and environmental protection increases. With communities reaping the dividends of tourism, there is also greater public involvement in maintaining peace and order.

The government must do its part by upgrading tourism infrastructure and providing incentives for greater private sector participation. The numerous problems bedeviling the tourism industry are well known: poor airports and lack of direct international air links, poor roads, lack of decent accommodations in many areas, prices that are not competitive with the country’s neighbors, lack of trained tour guides. In several areas, personal safety is a major concern for travelers.

These problems are not impossible to overcome. The country is blessed with world-class natural attractions, and the people are naturally friendly. It helps that almost all Filipinos can speak even a little English, although it would help the tourism industry even more if there are Filipino tour guides speaking other languages.

Relevant agencies have started addressing some of the problems. The recent praises should spur the government to do even more. The nation faces aggressive competition for travelers and there is no room for complacency.