DOT eyes 32.1 mil Filipino travelers, 3 mil new jobs by 2016
By Izah Morales, Yahoo! Southeast Asia |
Voltaire Domingo/NPPA Images
The Department of Tourism is optimistic that by 2016, there will be 32.1 million Filipino travelers, which is projected to generate 3 million new jobs in the tourism industry.
"Domestic tourism redistributes income to the countryside where there is higher incidence of poverty," said DOT secretary Alberto Lim, adding, "It is picking up not only because of low airfares but because the destinations are getting the interests of (younger travelers)."
In 2009, the National Statistics Office recorded 22.8 million Filipino travelers, with an average of two trips a year per person. Out of the 22.8 million Filipinos, 7.8 million traveled for leisure trips and vacations.
The top destinations were Manila, Camarines Sur, Cebu, Davao City, Cagayan Valley, Baguio, Boracay, Zambales, Puerto Princesa, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Camiguin, and Ilocos Norte.
Early this year, the DOT launched the campaign, "Pilipinas, Tara Na!" to encourage Filipinos to explore the country. Lim said that the campaign's focus areas were on culture, history, eco-tourism, nature and adventure.
In line with this, Smart Communications, DOT's partner in the campaign, identified destinations which attract the youth market such as Boracay, Baler, Batanes, Anawangin, Donsol, Camarines Sur, Mt. Pinatubo, Palawan, and Mt.Pulag.
Lim related that as part of the promotional campaign, Smart would provide information on the tourist destinations via short messaging service.
No comments:
Post a Comment