Stronger tourism eyed in the future

According to a successful businessman, tourism, the second job provider and income maker in the Philippines, will most probably become the main player in the industry and immediately affect many Filipinos.

Chairman emeritus Robert Lim Joseph from the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Inc. otherwise known as Naitas said tourism means job and booming tourism means more jobs and business.

Joseph called on tourism stakeholders to give full support to the newly legalised Tourism Act of 2009. Joseph added that it would initiate growth and development in the Philippines.

Based on the reports, medical tourism is going to be the “lone bright spot” in the country’s worsening economic scene. The chief statistician of the Philippines on the other hand gives warning about the recession that lies ahead.

Cynthia Carrion, Tourism undersecretary of the Philippines, announced that medical tourism sector performed better than expected during the first months of 2009 amidst global financial crunch compared to the first months of 2008.

Joseph revealed the growth in economy is caused by construction of hotels and restaurants which cost P87.16 billion in the first months of the year. The hotels and restaurants have employed a total of 1, 286 people in the process.

Forthcoming job opportunities are the result of the Department of Tourism’s endorsement of five big projects aimed at development worth P6.32 billion. The said development projects will also provide 6,340 jobs because of the construction of hotels and restaurants.