Tourism dep’t urged to focus on a few gateways

The Department of Tourism (DoT) should focus on just a few gateways and not try to develop too many at the same time as this is the best way to ensure that the final product to be presented to potential tourists is the best possible that the country can offer.

Samie Lim, private sector tourism advocate and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry tourism committee head, said the Department of Tourism’s plan to develop different gateways to the country was very good, but could become a venue for politics if not kept in check.

“It is a good plan, but it may become politicized. The DoT can’t please everybody because it will end up not pleasing anybody. The government should learn how to say no [to politicians]. Not all provinces can be gateways to the country,” he told reporters in an interview.

Lim explained that there was no harm in developing as many gateways as possible. This should be done one step at a time, however, and not all at the same time.

Lim said a good timetable should be put in place to ensure that the gateways that the DoT has identified would be developed fully and properly, noting that this timetable should not be overloaded.

“Set priorities based on the timetable and don’t do everything at the same time,” he said.

Lim said another big decision that the government has to make soon is whether to retain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as the key gateway to the Philippines or make Clark International Airport the international entry point.