President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr. has executed two of the quick-win ideas that were initially suggested by the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) Tourism Sector after their meeting in September 2022. In their second meeting with the President, which was held on January 26, the advisory council provided updates on the quick-win initiatives as well as new strategic proposals for achieving both short-term and quick-win objectives in order to boost demand for and growth in Philippine tourism.
Following his appointment as Presidential Adviser for Investment and Economic Affairs, Frederick D. Go, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Robinsons Land Corporation, attended his final PSAC meeting as the Tourism Sector Lead. Lance Y. Gokongwei, president and chief executive officer of JG Summit Holdings, will succeed PA Frederick D. Go in his PSAC position.
“Now that travel restrictions connected to the epidemic have been relaxed, we Filipinos are prepared to promote the Philippines as a top tourism destination. PSAC is in favor of the administration’s tourism agenda, especially in terms of improving the systems and infrastructure that will serve the numerous tourists who want to explore the distinct beauty of our nation, Go stated.
It has been an honor to be a part of this prestigious group. There is no doubt that they will continue to give our President well-considered recommendations and programs that will meet the requirements of our economy and people. I’m looking forward to our next conversations and encounters in my new role, he added.
Looking back on the accomplishments made in the brief period following the initial meeting, the PSAC’s two quick-win initiatives that were put into action were the adoption of Holiday Economics and the substitution of the military uniforms worn by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) with covert attire.
First, holiday economics pertains to the shifting of some holidays to the closest Monday in order to extend long weekends and boost domestic travel. Presidential Proclamation No. 90 was issued on November 11, 2022, less than two months after the first PSAC Tourism Sector conference, and it set forth the regular holidays and unique non-working holidays for the ensuing calendar year. Filipinos would be able to take advantage of 10 designated long weekends in 2023 to rediscover the country’s charms in the context of post-lockdown “revenge travel.”
Second, to be reminded, at the height of the Covid-19 outbreak, PCG personnel dressed in military uniform were stationed at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to help in enforcing required controls and limits. To foster a friendly and welcoming environment for tourists and guests, PSAC suggested switching out the uniforms for unobtrusive attire. Since the uniforms were changed to more casual clothes in November of last year, no PCG employees have been stationed at NAIA.
President Marcos welcomed PSAC’s further quick-win recommendations based on knowledge and experience from the private sector in light of the quick-win projects’ effectiveness in reviving the tourism sector. These were centered around including Chinese and Indian citizens in the Philippine e-Visa upon Arrival (EVUA) scheme. Additionally, PSAC suggested the adoption of the VAT Refund Scheme for Tourists (VRST) in order to promote and boost tourism revenue through local purchasing, which is the second largest expenditure made by tourists. At the moment, 69 nations provide VRST, with the Philippines being the only major Asian nation without one.
The President accepted both recommendations, and government organizations have been tasked with working together to identify the best implementation strategies.
The PSAC Tourism Sector also emphasized the significance of the traveler experience, which would be broadened by combining arrival and departure requirements into a single form, as well as by automatically including travel tax in all airline tickets and by getting rid of out-of-date advisories in aircraft and ports of entry.
PSAC worked with stakeholders to identify three short-term goals that would have a significant impact: the enhancement of airport operations and infrastructure, the management of the nation’s brand and image, and the promotion of tourism investments. PSAC sought to lay the groundwork for a revitalized tourism industry beyond quick wins.
Go collaborates with PSAC Lead Convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz, as well as members of the PSAC Tourism Sector Lucio Tan III, COO of LT Group, Roberto “Bobby” Claudio, Sr., President and CEO of Filinvest Development Corporation, Joji Gotianun Yap, and Rene Limcaoco, CEO of Hertz Philippines.
President Marcos was accompanied by the following representatives of the government: Secretary of Tourism Christina Frasco, Undersecretary of Tourism Shahlimar Tamano, Secretary of Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo, Secretary of Trade and Industry Alfredo Pascual, Secretary of Transportation Jaime Bautista, and Alternate Chairperson of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Roberto Li.
Gie Polanco, Ginggay Hontiveros, Chris Camba, and Leslie Lim, members of the PSAC Secretariat and Communications teams, were reportedly present.
