IT IS often said that tourism is a key driver of the country’s economy. But if that is the case, why are tourism stakeholders complaining about the poor tourist turnout in the country and its major cities nowadays?
***
A roundtable coffee discussion involving a hotel manager, an avid traveler, a resort owner and a businessman took place at a mall around town.
“I have never heard hotel and resort owners say for decades that their establishments are making a profit. Yet they have been operating for a decade or even longer,” the businessman began after taking his first sip of black coffee.
***
“Well, it is not always about making a profit, but we are able to sustain our daily operations and we have survived until today. There are lean and peak seasons, of course,” the hotel manager responded.
“We resort to cost-cutting measures in our power consumption and manpower utilization at times, and we buy our materials from suppliers offering the lowest prices,” he added.
***
“Our hotels and resorts are very expensive for several reasons — too many workers on the payroll, expensive foreign executives, highly paid culinary chefs, among others,” the resort owner explained.
“I agree, but the country has more problems to address that affect inbound tourism. Taxicab drivers are one reason our country gets a bad reputation despite our awesome destinations,” he added.
“I do not believe our concern is infrastructure and facilities. We have some of the best in the region,” he said.
***
“Look at Boracay Island. I was shocked when I arrived at Caticlan port before entering the majestic island. There is too much hassle in securing your entry requirements and making the payments mandated by the LGU (local government unit). There seems to be little order in the way tourists are welcomed. One can easily get irritated with the LGU’s processing system,” the avid traveler shared.
“It is part of the Filipino culture to have too many ‘diskartidor’ around trying to make something from tourists,” he added.
***
“At the Manila airports, taxicab drivers fool many foreigners by charging sky-high rates. I can see their meters running as if all hell had broken loose,” the businessman quipped.
“It is good that the airport operator, led by SMC boss Ramon Ang, quickly designated an area at NAIA Terminal 3 for TNVS vehicles such as Grab cars and others,” the traveler mentioned.
***
“What affects the tourism economy are the high room rates in hotels and resorts, expensive airline fares, and costly food in tourist destinations. Bohol has long been the subject of complaints over food prices. Mactan, too, has been criticized for its very high room rates,” the traveler said.
“More can be done. Tourism offices should focus more on persuading hotel and resort owners to bring down their rates for local travelers instead of always holding stakeholders’ meetings that usually end up accomplishing nothing. Sayang ang budget,” the resort owner concluded as he took his final sip of iced coffee./PN
