Ang Pilipinas Ngayon: Tourism for Progress and Economic Growth!

June 25, 2010 - PRLog -- The country doesn't just have more than 7,000 wonderful islands.  It has endless opportunities for business and a lot of leisure activities to offer visitors.

From magnificent beaches to world-class hotels to charming smiles, the Philippines is indeed a tired soul's haven.  And now touring this wonderful country has become affordable so that every Filipino can discover the wonder of their own land.

Ang Pilipinas Ngayon, an advocacy program hosted by Caritas Executive Director Fr. Anton Pascua and Miss International 2005 Precious Lara Quigaman, presents these developments in one of its mini-episodes that airs during the commercial gaps of ABS-CBN Ch. 2’s Umagang Kay Ganda, Showtime, and TV Patrol as well as on ANC’s Top Story and The World Tonight.

If ten years ago hopping from island to island within the archipelago was such a hassle, if not impossible, today almost all destinations in the country will be accessible to travelers.

   Transportation infrastructure received a drastic makeover to boost local and foreign tourism in the country.  

   In such a short span of time, inter-island travel has become not just possible but more significantly convenient for more people.  With the continuous construction and upgrading of infrastructure systems, tourist spots in the country are now accessible and closer to tourists.

   Palawan, Bohol, Vigan, Laoag, Camiguin, Siargao, and a host of emerging tourist destinations benefited from these infrastructure developments as thousands of kilometers of roads and bridges were either built or rehabilitated.  

The consolidation of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway in the Visayas Region added to the ease of travel and opened up facilitation of business in this part of the country.

   With over three million registered tourists who have already visited the country, the government facilitated the establishment of 300 hotels and tourism facilities for better tourism service.

   Local and international airports were also constructed and improved to accommodate more visitors and also impressed foreign investors.

   The influx of tourists in the country and the construction and upgrading of tourism facilities also meant the creation of 3.8 million new jobs for our workers.  

   Foreign businesses also experienced a surge along with these developments.  In 2009 alone, it generated for the country some $44 million in direct investments.  

Last year, President Arroyo signed into law the National Tourism Act of 2009, further enhancing the tourism industry.  The law declares it a national policy for tourism to be one of the country’s engines of investment and employment, and of growth and national development.

   The administration likewise established an integrating system to focus greater efforts to sustain the viability of ecotourism development in the country.  Ecotourism has become a popular activity among the country’s visitors.

   There has also been a growing fondness by foreigners to retire in the country, which is evident in the investments made by these retirees amounting to more than $100 million.

Now the country is working to develop a new market for tourism such as medical, health, and wellness tourism.

   By keeping the inviting beauty of the Philippines and continuously promoting investor-friendly policies, more lives and livelihoods have changed for the better.

To find out more about the advocacy program visit www.angpilipinasngayon.com and www.pangpinoymovement.org

Like Ang Pilipinas Ngayon on Facebook www.facebook.com/AngPilipinasNgayon
Follow Ang Pilipinas Ngayon on Twitter www.twitter.com/PILIPINASNGAYON

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The Pangarap ng Pilipino Movement (Pang-Pinoy Movement) is a movement of like-minded Filipino advocates from the private sector, civil society, and government agencies who believe in the Filipino, have pride in the Philippines, and aspire to realize our nation’s patriotic ideals during the EDSA 1 and 2 Revolutions for all Filipinos to attain genuine democracy and real progress in our everyday lives.