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Tourism Congress scheduled for 25 November 2009

After Secretary Durano promulgated the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the new Tourism Act on 10 November 2009, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has called for the Tourism Congress to be convened on 25 November 2009 at Marriott Hotel, Resort World, Paranaque, Metro Manila. This has raised concerns among tourism stakeholders that the various sub-sectors in the industry will not be properly represented in the founding session of this private sector consultative body upon such short notice. The Tourism Congress is expected to adopt and ratify its constitution, elect its officers, establish its secretariat and most importantly, nominate from among its members their representatives for the Philippine Tourism Promotions Board (PTPB), Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), Duty Free Philippines Corporation (DFPC) and the Tourism Coordinating Council. more...


Tourism Dialogue endorses IRR Recommendations to 
DOT

Last October 27, 2009, the National Dialogue on Enhancing Philippine Competitiveness in Tourism concluded with an endorsement of the conference recommendations for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) of the Tourism Act of 2009 to the Department of Tourism. Undersecretary Phineas Alburo, head of the Task Force on the IRRs received it on behalf of the department. He welcomed the initiative as part of the nationwide consultation currently being undertaken by the DOT and committed to review the suggestions as they finalize the draft due for release next month. Tourism Secretary Ace Durano addressed the conference earlier in the day, highlighting the achievements of the tourism department and looked forward to a more robust sector with the passage of the law. On the first day of the conference, Senator Richard Gordon, principal author of R.A. 9593 lauded the PCCI for their effort to initiate public-private dialogue, underlining the importance of such avenues for making the laws more responsive to the needs of the market. more...


Tourism Dialogue on RA 9593 on October 26-27, 2009
Tourism, together with agri-business, mining, and business process outsourcing, are among national government’s priority sectors.  Tourism, in particular, holds great potential not only in attracting large investments in infrastructure, facilities, and foreign currency inflows, but likewise in income and employment generation.  In 2008, tourism comprised 9% of the country’s GDP generating about 3.5 million jobs, which is 10% of the total jobs created in 2008. Foreign tourist arrivals in 2008 reached 3.14 million, a modest 1.5% growth given the global crisis that prevailed at the end of last year.  The extensive tourism value chain presents many opportunities for MSMEs to benefit from the industry through primary services, such as hotels, restaurants, and attractions, to indirect services, including food supply, raw materials, and others. Particularly in nature-based attractions, surrounding communities can benefit greatly from tourism-related activities.

In an effort to support the further development of Philippine tourism, the President has enacted the Tourism Law (R.A. 9593), “an act declaring a national policy for tourism as an engine of investment, employment, growth and national development …” This law is innovative as it not only re-defines institutional mandates and reorganizes the institutional landscape of Government’s tourism development efforts, but it also places a strong emphasis on enterprise and investment promotion.  However, for the new law to become an effective tool for tourism sector development, the focus must be on implementation of the law.

The law was passed on 12 May 2009 and was made effective in August. Based on the legislative timeframe, the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRRs) will be released within 90 days and shall be promulgated by the Secretary of Tourism upon consultation with the stakeholders.  

In this context, the Tourism Committee of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) organized the National Dialogue on Enhancing Philippine Competitiveness in Tourism: The Tourism Act of 2009.  It involved various public and private stakeholders in the tourism industry, including the Federation of Tourism Industries of the Philippines, Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines, Philippine Tour Operators Association. The primary objective of the dialogue was to develop consensus on key issues arising from the law and to propose suggestions to the Department of Tourism for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) due for completion towards the end of the year.  Local and international speakers shared experiences from their countries as inputs to the conference recommendations. This activity was also supported by the Private Sector Promotion Program of the German Technical Cooperation.