Session no.

1 Day 1
Documenters: Brian Walter James Delos Reyes and Maria Lourdes Bacud
Session Title: Strengthening Tourism Development Reforms Towards ASEAN Economic Integration
Facilitator:
Member of the Panel: Mr. Warner Andrada (Product Research and Development, Department of Tourism)
ASEAN recognizes the valuable role of tourism in narrowing the development gap in the pursuit of sustainable
socio- economic growth among its members. To date, efforts have been made to improve the efficiency and
competiveness of ASEANs tourism services. Such are programs that strengthen, deepen, and broaden tourism
cooperation among member states. However, there are still uncertainties on the plan of the Philippine
government on the ASEAN integration, particularly in tourism sector. This session, mainly, tried to address
necessary concerns and bring forth appropriate responses in strengthening tourism reforms in the country.
The moderator of the session started the activity by giving brief information discussing the current status and
initiatives of the government in developing tourism sector in the Philippines. He discussed the state of readiness
of the Philippines on ASEAN economic integration on 2015- Where are we now? What shall we do?
Where are we now?
In 2013, a remarkable increased of number of tourist visited the Philippines. This is a big leap from what we have
in the past years. As development paved its way, challenges also surface in the midst of growth of tourism
industry in the country.
Mr. Warner Andrada discussed the emerging challenges take on by the government in making the Philippine
tourism at the forefront of the competition.
Challenges and Key Interventions
The archipelagic nature of the country adds to its marketability because of the unique features of its physical
attributes. However, such also entails problem, mainly, due to the slow development of infrastructures that will
connect one island to the other. Developing these infrastructures (bridges, roads, air connectivity, etc) will
contribute on the ease of access to tourist destinations. The government recognizes the urgency of addressing
this issue and currently implementing improvements with lead executive agencies. Department of Tourism
(DOT) is closely working with Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) in the improvement of
the infrastructures through the Tourism Road Infrastructure Project Prioritization Criteria (TRIPPC) convergence
project.
A remarkable enhancement in market access and connectivity was issued recently by the government exempting
the international carriers from Common Carriers Tax (CCT).
Traffic congestion all over Metro Manila impedes the growth of the economy, tourism sector in particular. This is
a major distress to tourists as it hampers the ease of travel and defeats the primary purpose of the tourists on
their visit in the country, to have fun. Traffic congestion mitigation strategies are in placed to decongest the
transport flow situation.
Rigorous policies facilitating the entry of international tourist hurdles more visits. The government is in the
process of rehashing the policies covering the visa acquisition and making it more convenient for the tourists.

For the past years, series of travel warnings to strict restrictions were imposed in the country by various states
due to terrorist and insurgent activities and continuing threats. Fortunately, most of them were already lifted. To
achieve the target market of the tourism campaign, local and international media support is highly needed. Their
portrayal of the countrys image should be improved. With this development, marketing and campaign strategies
to raise the awareness of local and international prospect tourists are being undertaken by the national and local
government with the support of private sectors.
Quality of the countrys workforce is being developed through capacity building by the government to keep up on
the pace of improvement of the image of the country as tourist destination.
Philippines as rising player in the tourism industry improved its government procedures to achieve targets for
investment. Current initiatives to improve the countrys competitiveness particularly the cost of doing business
are manifested on the policies enforced to streamline and simplify government procedures.
All of these preparations are being made to hit the 10-Million mark on 2016. Hence, collaborative effort of various
stakeholders is crucial as country faces emerging challenges in the tourism industry. On top of that are the
strategies being undertaken to prepare the country for the ASEAN Economic Integration on 2015.
Are we ready?
We hope to be ready. Technically, the country is performing well. If these challenges can be addressed, we can
be ready. - Mr. Andrada

Annex A

Presenter
Session
Proceedings;
lga.dilg2014@g
mail.com

Director Warren Andrada

Objectives: To address
Challenges:
necessary concerns and 1. Infrastructure (bridges, roads,
to bring forth appropriate
air connectivity to ease the
responses in
access to destination by the
strengthening tourism
tourists) limitations in the
reforms in the Philippines
Philippines..
2. Traffic congestion mitigation
strategies.
3. Marketing and campaign
strategies to raise the
awareness of local and
international prospect tourists
4. The ease of entry among
international prospect tourists
(Visa acquisition concerns)
5. The challenge of achieving
inclusive growth through active
partnership among stakeholders
(i.e NGAs, LGUs, CSOs and
NGOs
6. The state of security for tourist.(
i.e petty crimes)
7. The problem of local and
international media in the
portrayal of the counties image.
8. Limitations that emrge from the
geographical nature of the
archipelago.

Key actions:
Highlights and Discussions:
1.) Policy and Strategy formulations
1. Addressing existing initiatives and programs from
2.) Relevant Research studies.
both local and national government geared to
3.) Close partnership of various sectors.
respond on the needs for tourism development in
4.) Program implementation
preparation to the ASEAN economic integration.
5.) Capacity building
2. Identified the crucial role of collaborative effort of
stakeholders to cope on the challenges faced in the
tourism industry.
3. To formulate innovative, creative, and
comprehensive policies, programs and initiatives as
a response to the demands of the ASEAN economic
integration.