When one travels to countries in Asia, such as Thailand and Malaysia, one wonders why there are hundreds of tourist vans and buses moving about. Yet, when visiting the Philippines, there are hardly any buses seen along EDSA or Roxas Boulevard; or meandering the Malate area—the same goes for Cebu, Iloilo, and Davao.
What’s the difference between the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, or Malaysia? When Filipinos travel abroad, they point to certain sites and whisper, “What also have that at home.” However, tourism promotion in other countries is a daily routine.

Is the situation different in the Philippines?
Media plays a vital role in the situation. With a daily dose of news about illegal drugs, vehicular accidents, killings, and street rumbles, viewers will believe it represents the Philippines as a while. Aside from that, there are also opportunities such as airport taxi drivers and seaport attendants. There are also the high hotel room rates, which was outside the reach of many foreign visitors.
In addition, local tour packages often lack opportunities for tourists to visit a city or province and instead are just informed of a certain hotel’s food, amenities, Wi-Fi capabilities, and expensive beds. Local destinations and special delicacies are what tourists want to hear about.

Self-motivated tourism
There are city and provincial tourism offices across the country and they need to complement each other, not compete against one another. Their work should be merged in order for visitors to take in all attractions.
If self-motivated tourism promotion continues to be practiced, then nothing will happen at local destinations.
Those in the tourism sector more think better and be innovative.

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This column greets Jennylind Cordero, Ping Jimenea, Pinky Hautea, Francis Velez, Tintin Mansinares, Raymund Javellana, Raymond Dabao, Bobby Tee, Natalie Lim, Nico Velasquez, Junel Divinagracia, and Danny Dangcalan./WDJ