Why is the Philippines lagging behind in tourist arrivals?
By bystander
@bystander (2292)
Philippines
January 31, 2010 7:14am CST
Last year, the Philippines hosted only about 3 million tourists. For Hongkong and Singapore, that's only for a month. For Malaysia and Thailand, maybe a couple of months. There are a lot of beautiful places -- diving sites, beaches, adventure spots, etc. -- that a potential tourism may want to see. Comparatively, also, these places are as beautiful, if not more beautiful than those in other countries. What do you think is the reason behind this dismal traffic of tourists to the Philippines?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@bystander (2292)
• Philippines
1 Feb 10
saphrina, the philippines is a very beautiful country with a warm people. if you decide to visit the country, get in touch. i may help...
Thank you so kindly, will keep that in mind. TATA.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
4 Feb 10
Bring lots of friends. You'll be in for a lot of treat. Tell our future guide here to bring you to Intramuros first before hopping the islands, just for a little cultural background. Just bring a backpack for your passport and other legal stuff. All the rest we can provide here, food, drinks, beaches, sights, and lots of memories to last a lifetime.
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
4 Feb 10
I think it is the lack of coordination in the tourism industry due to corruption. We can't even afford good signages in the streets to guide prospective tourists about local destinations.
@bystander (2292)
• Philippines
4 Feb 10
that, and a lot more, eileenleyva. of course, corruption is the ready reason, but i think we really need some new blood who can aspire, inspire and do things that will really place the philippines up front in the tourism map of the world... we have what it takes, but we're faltering in promoting it....
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
5 Feb 10
My daughter is with the Asian Institute of Tourism. The young blood there is all fire. But the DOT leaves much to be desired...
@bystander (2292)
• Philippines
6 Feb 10
that's very true about government agencies, eileenleyva. sometimes, though, we should also give our cents work of promoting our country... think of nationalism... always visit my site on good news about the philippines and filipinos... the site is http://pinoygnews.multiply.com/ ... hope you can find time....
@lampar (7584)
• United States
1 Feb 10
There is not much tourism promotion undertaken by your government, it is the marketing trick your government need to do more often if they want to have more tourist visit Philippine, they need to make sure tourists are welcome and can feel safe and also can visit many attraction in your country, without that, i think many are unaware of all the beautiful resorts your country can offer to the travelers. Think about it. ...Hong Kong and Singapore and Malaysia spend a lot of money in their tourism campaign just to attract people over there annually. 
@bystander (2292)
• Philippines
3 Feb 10
you are probably right, lampar. here in the philippines, the government is always harping about campaigns and promotions being done in so many countries abroad. but, there is now way for us to really validate their claim of doing that. one time, while i was in japan, i saw the government putting up an exhibit about philippine products, distributing at the same time leaflets and flyers about tourist destinations... but in other countries, i have no way of really knowing, even if i try to get some friends to "see" whether philippine tourism people are doing their work at promoting the country... thanks, lampar, for the info...
1 person likes this
@Kumar1232009 (1215)
• Spain
1 Feb 10
with regards to people, you have a popular culture and i think foreigners are into more diverse one when it comes to visiting other countries. about your indiginous and natural beautiful spot, i think your tourism sector must put a face on that.
@bystander (2292)
• Philippines
1 Feb 10
putting a face on our effort to promote tourism is the philippines is a really good idea, kumar. efforts have been made to do these, through promotional caravans abroad and aggressive information campaign, but the results were not that good. probably, the reason is that such efforts are not sustained. thanks, kumar.
