The sad reality about our tourism industry - PH one of lowest tourist arrivals in Southeast Asia

[flanker]

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MANILA, Philippines - Despite an aggressive tourism campaign and record high arrivals, the Philippines still remains one of the countries with the lowest tourist arrivals in Southeast Asia.

Latest data from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) showed that the Philippines’ share in international tourism arrivals in 2012 stood at 1.8 percent compared to Malaysia’s 10.7 percent; Thailand’s 9.6 percent; Indonesia’s 3.9 percent; and Vietnam’s 2.9 percent.
Phl has one of lowest tourist arrivals in Southeast Asia

DOTC's "More Fun In The Philippines" brouhaha is not enough!

Aside from infrastructure our govt should work on eliminating over-charging culture(taxi,food, etc) in our country . If you're a tourist common pinoy's will think that you're a walking ATM they will just ripped you off.

[Bears Grill]

We like to beat our chests about individual Filipino accomplishments and then mock and generalize about other races every chance we get, while that other race just keep quiet and surge ahead.

Our politicians are well-traveled internationally. They know how much more advanced some of our Southeast Asian neighbors are. I remember seeing with embarrassment the plaque in CICC proclaiming "proudly Cebuano made." Seriously? Just attend one trade fair in Thailand or Malaysia and you'll see what I mean.

The Mactan International Airport is another source of embarassment. Sometimes, I feel like apologizing to the tourists for our not having kept up with the standards set by our neighbors. I once saw a small group of hungry tourists who were buying a styrofoam-bowl of instant noodles and queueing for hot water that was to be poured out of a small thermos...only to be turned away because there was no more hot water left in it. To make up for this sad state of affairs, we give them our sarcastic smiles and sing them songs that they really wouldn't care about.

[reptoid]

Folks won't forget the Manila bus hostage crisis anytime soon, and frankly speaking beyond the guarded resorts the environment is generally both dirty and dangerous. Compared with some of our neighbors we also have few tourist attractions and Filipino food isn't popular with foreigners (unlike Thai). I'm not sure what the solution is. Obviously infrastructure and law and order issues need tackling, but we also need to recognize that while many of us are satisfied with shopping mall culture most tourists are here to escape that lifestyle. We must offer something unique.

[crossramz]

We've got low tourist especially from taiwan cause we are red flagged. Other than that, we'll enjoying the coming of other folks next summer.

[meickey]

Precisely.

While we have a very unique culture, pristine beaches but sad to say we lack supporting infrastructures and our transportation sector is so ****ed that the moment they see you walking out in the Airport, they think you're a cash cow!

[slakker]

one of the top reasons tourists travel is culture. unfortunately we do not preserve our buildings and monuments well so we lag behind in terms of cultural tourism. diri sa cebu, colon is a very historic street but wala gi-preserve ang mga art-deco buildings, sayang kaayo. sige lang renovate para mu-sakay sa uso, nawala ang original character.

[cobraKing]

simple ra kaau ni nila..tabunan nsad ta sa mga survey2x unya ang numero magic2x dayon unya moingon na nisaka na ang torsimo sa pinas na labwan nato ang thailand ug uban pa dha..

[Eve's Apple Project]

para nako..di naman dapat unique jud ta. the place alone is unique, our food choices also are unique. kuwang lang jud sa pagpush. Bisan ang LOCALs wa kabalo unsay nindot ikasuggest nga mga local or FOOD.
para nako ang dapat unahon kay ang safety sa lugar (PEACE & ORDER).Daghan kaayong adik, kawatan, manglilimos, etc. daghn kaayong kawatan POLITICO or ordinaryong taw. daghan Way disiplina, pataka lang pangihi, labay basura... if ang torista mosoroy nya magpanghadlok molakaw sa dan kay hadlok tulison, nah, mapaymouli og di namobalik...atot, wa jud ni pag-asa..

Bisan unsaon ni nila og promote, basta taas gihapon og crime rate, yaw nalng jud pag expect nga moanhi nang mga tourista sa pinas...kinsa gud tawn gusto mosuroy sa nasod kung nag balik-balik ang news about BOMBING, Welga, massacre..etc.. atot, wa jud ni.

[kageron]

one of the top reasons tourists travel is culture. unfortunately we do not preserve our buildings and monuments well so we lag behind in terms of cultural tourism. diri sa cebu, colon is a very historic street but wala gi-preserve ang mga art-deco buildings, sayang kaayo. sige lang renovate para mu-sakay sa uso, nawala ang original character.

mao jud nawala na ang mga historic establishments so far kani nalang ang nabilin and going strong

[Eve's Apple Project]

Ako tan-aw lang ha...kanang colon st gikan diha sa mc do to parian, pwede ta na himoon nga murag time square ny.. Himoon tourist spot nang lugara..tsk tsk tsk..daghan pwede buhaton kung gustohon jud sa govt..