Senators said if the facilities and services are poor, tourists won’t be enticed to see the Philippines regardless of its new “Love the Philippines” slogan.
Senate President Juan Miguel “Migz” Zubiri said that while he loves the new campaign slogan recently launched by the Department of Tourism (DOT), he underscored the need to improve infrastructure and services.
No matter how good the tourism slogan is, Zubiri said that tourists won’t come and visit or return to the Philippines if there are no improvements.
He described as clear and concise the message of the new tourism slogan. However, he reminded all those concerned that tourism is a convergence of the DOT, DOTr, DPWH, they should have one organization that always meets. “They have to have convergence like Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia,” he said.
Sen. Sonny Angara also finds the slogan “nice” because it really talks about love and that it also says positive things about Filipinos.
He also talked about improving the country’s airports and other infrastructure.
With good infrastructure, he said Thailand gets 30 million tourists, while Spain gets 30 million.
For Sen. Grace Poe, she said the Philippines has a lot to offer to become a world-class destination.
“We recognize the efforts of the DOT to inspire travelers to visit and relish in the country’s natural beauty and unique culture,” she said.
According to the chairperson of the Senate committee on public services, catchy tourism slogans must not be thwarted by cringeworthy
travelers’ experience.
“We must start by improving services at our airports, which are not only the nation’s gateway but also the first and last impression a
tourist gets of the Philippines,” she added.