| Philippines boosts tourism sector, eyes 4.6m arrivals in ’12 |
Manolo B. Jara
MANILA With the new slogan ‘It’s more fun in the Philippines’ gaining momentum, President Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino expressed optimism the country would even overshoot its target of 4.6 million tourist arrivals for this year.
Aquino pointed out that in the past five months from January to May, the country recorded “real and tangible” achievements in the tourism sector, with arrivals reaching 1.8 million.
“The number is more than half of the yearly average of three million in tourist arrivals in the years before we took office,” Aquino told Philippine diplomats assigned to North America and tour operators who paid a courtesy call at Malacanang Palace.
He also expressed optimism the country would breach its target of 4.6 million arrivals for 2012, pointing out that historically, the country would get even more visitors in the second half of the year.
Aquino based his optimism on the government decision to apply the simple strategy of making it easier and more fun for tourists to visit the country.
“Tourism is one of the sectors we are paying particular attention to,” Aquino stressed, “because it is one way in which we can successfully pursue our agenda of inclusive growth, given the multiplier effect on jobs and the amount of money it brings into our country.”
Oman Tribune
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