By THEPHILBIZNEWS STAFF
The brunt of the coronavirus pandemic has affected the whole world and everything really stopped. In the Philippines, the nationwide lockdown forced upon us during the health crisis that had taken so many lives and disrupted the lives of everyone we know. It has caused anxiety as health and safety concerns coupled with economic and income uncertainties weighed down everyone, setting back a broad spectrum of businesses.
Industry-wise, the hospitality and tourism industries were greatly affected as many accommodations, grand events and year-long reservations had to be canceled to ensure everyone’s health and safety.
Now as we face the past-pandemic world, the British Chamber of Commerce Philippines highlighted in its Travel Talks 2024, the opportunities that the travel industry in the Philippines can take advantage of.
During the event, British Chamber esteemed resource speakers highlighted the trends, policy developments, key strategies and post-pandemic efforts of the Philippine government.
The event is partnered by Sunville Travel and Filigree Suites as its minor sponsor–attended by over 40 individuals. Event keynote speakers and panelists include Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, Department of Tourism Undersecretary Atty. Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan, Mr. Steve Weston–General Manager of International SOS, and Mr. Paul John Del Rosario Hernandez–Founder of The Traveling Salakot.
Secretary Bautista highlighted the current projects under the Department of Transportation to increase connectivity in the country through airport expansion, improving public transportation, and sustainable efforts to comply with Net Zero Emission by 2050. He also emphasized the need to encourage public-private partnership to further enhance infrastructure development while boosting the tourism sector.
“We most welcome foreign participation in our projects under the Public-Private Partnership arrangement. We invite British businesses to join us in this transformation. Be part of the change. Be the catalyst for change,” Secretary Bautista stated.
This was followed by a presentation by the Undersecretary Atty. Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan who emphasized on the significance of the tourism sector with its contribution to GDP growth, higher tourism receipts, domestic trips, and providing employment opportunities.
“We [DoT] recognize we have the unique mandate to promote the country and yet to also preserve, to ensure that the beauty of our country remains while we share to the world our rich Philippine experience,” Undersecretary Yu-Pamintuan cited.
Another presentation made by Steve Weston, General Manager of International SOS identified multiple global trends and existing risks on the travel sector while proving key strategies that should be adopted by organizations including: Travel Security Training, pre-travel health insurance, and implementing a responsibility-to-care policy.
The British Chamber remains optimistic that tourists from the UK can further increase through existing projects of the Philippine government–noting the United Kingdom’s contribution of up to the 11% surge of tourists in the country. Through strengthening the Philippines’ connectivity, it also increases the potential to become an investment and tourism destination in the region.