DoT hits private tourism board concept

The Department of Tourism has assailed a proposal to create a privately run tourism promotions board, saying the idea is being pushed by “elements outside of the tourism industry, which believe [they] can do a better job than those that have been practitioners for decades.”

In a statement, DoT assistant secretary for tourism planning and promotions Domingo Ramon Enerio said that “a survey of major tourism stakeholders revealed that the idea proposed was not popular among tourism industry players.”

The tourism official was responding to criticism hurled by private tourism board advocates—including the influential Management Association of the Philippines—who assailed the DoT for allegedly refusing to dialogue with industry stakeholders on key policy initiatives.

Enerio said the present setup offered by the law for a government-run tourism promotions board focused on the business of selling the Philippines as an ideal holiday destination and providing the necessary leadership and direction for the tourism industry to follow.

“It is still the most ideal solution to present-day requirements and conditions,” said Enerio, who is also the officer in charge of the Tourism Promotions Board.

“Private sector participation in planning and implementing or participating in marketing activities and projects is assured and done through the Tourism Congress, the body representing all accredited tourism enterprises,” Enerio added.

According to the tourism official, a privately run tourism promotions board may work in a situation where the private sector will assume the cost of promotions both internationally and domestically. Under this scheme, it will become a self-sustaining activity and the budget requirements for marketing and promotions will rest fully and squarely on the shoulders of the private sector.

“However, the proposal of MAP for a privately run tourism promotions board is too idealistic in today’s world, where private sector stakeholders are still unable to participate in international and domestic tourism promotions, let alone contribute financially in general marketing activities, advertising and PR work,” Enerio said.

“Tourism promotion, as we know it today, is still a government priority function, not just in the Philippines but in most of the tourism-oriented destinations all over the world,” Enerio added.

Enerio said it would be difficult to extricate the government from the marketing task required, because the DoT maintains overseas and regional offices that have been the backbone of international and domestic tourism promotions.

“The maintenance of these offices and the activities required of the same will be a major consideration for any privately run tourism promotions board,” he said.