INFRASTRUCTRE HAMPERS RP'S TOURISM GROWTH - ANGARA

"Unless we invest heavily in tourist infrastructure such as new airports and roads, the country would not be able to meet its goal of attracting five million foreign tourists a year by 2010."

Senator Edgardo J. Angara expressed fear that poor infrastructure facilities, political instability, extrajudicial killings and terror threats could spoil the hard-earned gains of the tourism sector.

He said, "we've got magnificent tourist spots but we don't have the proper logistics and convenient transportation system that's why we have fallen behind our Asian neighbors."

Angara suggests that we shall start building tourist infrastructure like airports, seaports, hotels, railways and roads all over the country to attract foreign visitors.

He also called on for the immediate opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3). "The opening of NAIA 3 has long been delayed, they shall start pursuing their plans to begin its operation to accommodate more passengers."

In the next five years, he said, the agribusiness, cyber services, tourism including medical, health care services, the mining and aviation industries will generate more than 4 million employments places. In the agribusiness sector alone, more than 2 million jobs will be created from now until 2010.

"Tourism is going to create jobs especially in the rural areas if we boost infrastructure development. The most successful tourist destinations - countries like Italy, Spain and France - capitalize on their history, culture and natural beauty. Tourism alone is a key factor in driving their economies," he stressed.

In 2007, among the largest Asean countries in terms of tourism performance and tourist arrivals, the Philippines was a sorry No. 6 to Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.

Malaysia had 20.97 million tourists in 2007; Thailand had 14.8 million in 2007 and began to reposition itself as a high-end--not a cheap--destination so it might get less tourists this year but earn more money; Singapore had 10.3 million tourists in 2007; Indonesia had 5.51 million tourist arrivals in 2007, up from 4.87 million in 2006; Vietnam had 4.171 million in 2007; While, Philippines got 3.1 million tourist arrivals last year.