THINKING GLOBAL

Attracting tourists through Manila galleons

12:58 am | Friday, August 17th, 2012

Asia will not only be the epicenter of the global economy in the next two decades at least. It will also enjoy the highest growth in both domestic and foreign tourism, especially with the participation of such emerging markets as China, India, Brazil, Mexico and Indonesia. History has been a magnet for tourism in Old World countries like Greece, Egypt, Italy and Spain. It will be no different for tourism in Asia. Already tourists from all over the world are attracted to the centuries-old Buddhist and Hindu temples of India, Cambodia, Vietnam and Indonesia. As I reported in a recent column, I myself was enchanted by the Buddhist and Hindu historical monuments of Sri Lanka.

The Philippines may be handicapped because of the absence of these historical monuments. Given the increasing interest all over the world in the globalization of trade and investment, however, we can leverage on the unique role our islands played in the first-ever recorded globalization of trade. I am referring to the Manila-Acapulco galleon trade that was founded when, on Oct. 8, 1565, Basque navigator and Augustinian friar Andres de Urdaneta successfully sailed from the Philippines to Spanish America aboard the galleon San Pedro. This was the beginning of the first globalized trade that linked the Americas, Asia, Africa and Europe. The Galleon Trade set a record of 250 years until 1815, a length of time unmatched by any shipping line to date. Today, all over the world October 8 is now celebrated as Dia del Galeon or Galleon Day.

In line with using history (together with culture and nature) as a more sustainable foundation of sound and healthy tourism, a National Galleon Museum will be put up to be a component of the itinerary of all tourists (foreign or domestic) interested in the history of globalization. The idea of establishing this Museum was conceived by Senator Edgardo J. Angara and Madame Margarita Zavala, First Lady of Mexico, during the visit of the latter to the Philippines in November 2011. The objective was to promote the global heritage of the Manila Galleons through exhibitions, research and public programs that will foster awareness and appreciation of the ties that bind the Philippines with Iberoamerican countries. The Museum is a project of the National Historical Commission.

The importance of the galleon trade is considered by Senator Angara as “one of the most important phenomena in our national history, and the history of the 35 other nations (apart from the Philippines and Mexico) that took part in it…Manila was the hub of this global trade, and it was through this that we first came into contact with many of the ideas, institutions and even recipes established in our society today.” The proposal to establish a National Galleon Museum has attracted the interest of Mexico and Spain, with other countries also expected to be drawn to the project. No less than 37 modern nations in Asia and the Pacific, the Americas and Europe, were historically involved with the wider trade network that hinged upon the Manila-Acapulco trade. Goods from all over Asia were transshipped from the Philippines to Mexico and in turn were distributed from Mexico to Europe and the rest of the Americas. Such a global trade is now being replicated as the Philippines becomes a manufacturing and logistics hub of multinational corporations from all over the world taking advantage of the strategic location of our country in the whole of East Asia.

The National Galleon Museum will promote the global heritage of the Manila Galleons through exhibitions, research and public programs that will foster awareness and appreciation of the past and strengthen Philippine-Iberoamerican solidarity and cooperation. It can be the very symbol of the Trans Pacific Partnership that is now being promoted by the US with an increasing number of countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It will be most likely located at the NAVRESCOM Compound in Intramuros, Manila. Once completed, it will be another “must stop” in the itinerary of tourists who already flock in big numbers to the Intramuros area because of its wealth of historical and cultural heritages. I am certain that the project got another boost from the visit of Queen Sofia of Spain during the first week of July 2012. Originally coming from Greece and now the Queen of one of the most successful tourism destinations in the world, Her Majesty Queen Sofia would appreciate very much the role of history and culture in promoting tourism.

For comments, my e-mail address is bernardo.villegas@uap.asia.

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Tags: Manila galleons , National Galleon Museum , Philippines , Tourism

arao_liwanag

Is that all you can think of? Really a psuedo economist you are. Who is interested in Galleon but only those who can think of nothing.
Photogeneratedholes

Im interested in conducting research about the Galleon trade…. Im interested to know the economics, politics, science, technology about Galleon trade…. Are there many scholar who study this area?

mark_john21

UP library has everything you need.

http://profile.yahoo.com/SRLWUTE6TYKA332DDUG5E2YGUQ Sandiego

This article is lame. Brain washed colonial thinking again. It’s always the same with Filipinos nothing was here before Spain came. What about the Malay sailors that navigated the Pacific before it was called the Pacific. Filipinos are part of that legacy not Spain. How about the fact that Muslim ships were better designed and faster than the Spanish ships. It was only the steam engine that gave the Spanish supremacy in the local waters. What about the Malay sailors that founded Madagascar. Long before it was called Madagascar. Google how impressed the Portuguese were with Malay ships. Filipinos are not Spanish. Why such love for them. When they raped the local people and destroyed its culture. Forget Spain. This country has richer history. Stop the colonial mindset. So lame.

CatlinRanch

Isnt San Diego a Spanish name?
RealityCheckX

I will always thank the good Lord Spaniards and Americans came here. I am eternally grateful NOT to be a Malay Muslim. Look at the troubles Indonesia and Malaysia inflict on themselves bombing Christians in this day and age, thinking sharia law is good law, and suppressing their women. And of course, we wouldn’t have OFWs, seamen and call centers today if all we knew was Bahasa and our manhood depended on strutting around with a gun. No, thank you!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_3Q7DCYUW6BQLG5LKDLWNSZNNSY DanielB633

Filipino identity includes the Spanish influence. That is very hard to deny.

What is a ‘colonial mindset’? Maybe still thinking that a former colonizer still ‘dictates’ what is happening to the Philippines? I believe this is a ‘loser’ mentality.

It’s more productive to take advantage of our heritage and consequent identity and use it to highlight our uniqueness in Asia. And to use it to explore economic opportunities with the Hispanic world. I know that there are Spanish call centers in the Philippines. Where else in Asia can this happen? Why shut the door to opportunities to connect with Spain. I know there are a lot of Pinoys working in Spain.

Besides English has been a big asset to Filipinos. Was this not a result of our being under the Americans?

No nationality is an island. Everyone is influenced by everyone else. In our case we just have to take the bad with the good and move forward. It’s a new world that we are in.

Joe_dv0729

Dr. Villegas really hit the head of the nail with his article on how the Philippines can attract more tourists to come and visit our country rich in historical values that the Spaniards, and even the early Chinamen contributed to our diverse cultures.

Perhaps the postings that I introduced in other controversial topics were out of place, that some critics dubbed it as narcism, a vision or goal that is too impossible to achieve.

There is nothing impossible not to have fun in the Philippines, considering some hidden and still undeveloped tourist spots that the country may introduced to the world travellers. The time frame of at least two decades that Dr. Villegas cited in the article to prepare the nation for a real transformation is attainable, depending on how our key players will take seriousness to succeed.

The planned relocation of “slum dwellers” from the Capital City to their port of origin must be accomplish with cooperation among the project managers and the affected communities. Perhaps during the next ten years, when funds are allocated and relocation sites are established, this paramount vision is bound to succeed, which the ultimate beneficiaries are the citizens themselves.

My postings in bringing up the subject of the Philippines being the future Pilgrimage Capital of the World can be aligned to what Dr. Villegas discussed here in details. And by the way, when I mentioned the title Pilgrimage Capital of the World, not necessarily meant just for Christans pilgrims. Perhaps, if our Muslims sisters and brothers in the southern part of the country can have a one-of-a-kind Temple built there, our Muslims neighboring countries may worship there too. Maybe by the same token, Muslim population in the NCR will substantially decrease, triggering traffic decongestion and trash reductions that city planners are unable to implement a viable solutions to the growing problem.

Right now, talking will not solve our present dilemma, but careful planning and execution is our key to successful completion of this global transformation.

THINKING GLOBAL

Attracting tourists through Manila galleons

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