HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRIPE-VINE: OUR NEW ABNORMAL
Can I say that rather than continuously discussing about how disappointed we are with DOT’s new Love the Philippines slogan, and it’s controversial footage, we should all get behind the campaign’s intent – and be the mini-ambassadors and influencers the country needs to fast track our tourism recovery. That for me is the imperative. Rather than casting shade on the initiative, we should be finding ways to make that “Love” happen, and now!
The DOT trotted out the figure of 2,686,011 foreign visitor arrivals as of June 30, 2023, and that is encouraging. But let’s put that into perspective, so we appreciate the task at hand, how this goes beyond content “mistakes,” and recognize how we all have to play our part. Thailand reported 6.15 million visitors for the three months of January to March of 2023; and traditionally, we rank sixth among ASEAN countries when it comes to tourism.
CHAMPIONING LOVE THE PHILIPPINES, DOT Sec. Cristina G. Frasco with husband Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco.
Back in pre-pandemic 2019, Thailand was number one (39.7 million), followed by Malaysia (20.1 million), Vietnam, then Singapore and Indonesia. The Philippines was sixth (eight million), with Cambodia nipping at our heels, then Myanmar, Laos, and Brunei Darussalam. For 2023, Thailand is projecting an optimistic 30 million, hoping for exponential growth over the last two quarters of the year. We’re much more cautious, with a 2023 target of 4.8 million tourist arrivals; and well on our way to achieving that, given the half year mark of 2.6 million.
If there is something we should be clamoring about, and making certain our “thumbs down” are noted – it’s the sorry state of our NAIA air terminals, the snail-paced immigration counters, and the unreliable flight schedules of our local carriers. For me, those are matters of urgent concern – as in, what kind of travel experience are we offering the visitors who do come to our country? The beaches are beyond beautiful, the Filipino people warm and welcoming, the experiences truly love-worthy; but will the getting here and leaving encourage return visits?
I know that’s what I ask myself when visiting other countries, and experience systemic inconveniences and/or snafus. For those who travel regularly, you’ve been exposed to the international airports of Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, and know what I mean, having to accept how poorly our NAIA fares when compared with those air terminals.
AT THE DOT 50th Anniversary Awards night held at the Manila Hotel Tent, Sec. Cristina G. Frasco, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., and Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco.
There are far many more incoming travelers to Bangkok than here, but despite the long lines at the Bangkok airport, we’re witness to how efficiently they move the lines; or get the impression the immigration personnel are trying to effectively manage the process. I’m sorry to say that my experience at NAIA was that the immigration people looked busy when it’s us they should be concerned about, or had they resigned to the fact that there was nothing they could do?
Industrial engineers should be analyzing the queuing process, finding better solutions. At the least, let’s enforce the rules that already exist. Thanks to my age, I can join the senior citizen/PWD queue, where the signage explicitly says “One companion allowed.” But when I departed last month, in front of me was a woman who looked like she was in her mid-30’s with two children, and several individuals in wheelchairs had up to four family members joining them. It was ridiculous being in this long line, and noting that more than half of the people in the line had no business being there – but nothing was being said or done.
Sadly, we’re still mired in the mentality where rules apply to everyone, except us. Plus the attitude of “pwede na yan” prevails. These impede our chances to really transform tourism. So let’s do what we can, rally behind Philippine tourism, and show some “love.”
Kenny and the mango farmers
It’s great when retail food brands make CSR and sustainability a recurring component of their marketing activities; and they fully deserve our support for the effort. Kenny Rogers is on its second year of Farmvocacy, a program designed to draw attention to, and create financial support for, their farmer-partners.
The Kenny Rogers Farmvocacy poster, food brands helping our farmers.
This year, it’s the mango farmers of Zambales, through the Samahang Magmamanga ng Zambales (SMZ), who are the beneficiaries of the Mango Habanera solo plates of Kenny Rogers. For every purchase of a Mango Habanera Baby Back Ribs plate, or the Mango Habanera Roast Chicken plate, Kenny will donate ₱1 to the SMZ; as the federation improves production, shares best practices, and develops a common label and packaging for their mangoes destined for export and local market distribution.
I’ve tried the ribs, and it’s got a wonderful, mild-spicy sauce that gives the dish a little kick. So that’s an ideal situation, Kenny developing new flavor-filled plates, and giving us the opportunity to help a farming community through our purchase.