As economic barriers, including travel restriction, are dismantled, more visitors and tourists are expected to flow in from the Philippines and neighboring countries as a result of the establishment of the one-ASEAN market.
Tourism Assistant Secretary for market development Benito Bengzon Jr. said the development will will encourage tourists from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam to visit the Philippines.
Interviewed by Philippine Star at the sidelines of the North Philippines Tourism and Travel Expo at SM City Clark where delivered a talk recently, ASEC Bengzon said restrictions will be eased for visitors to move around the Philippines.
According to him, tourist arrivals, which rose by 10 per cent last year will grow further with the upcoming integration.
Bengzon noted that a key element of tourism development is encouraging the participation of local communities, without which the tourism industry would not be sustainable.
In his own talk, Department of Tourism Region 3 director Ronaldo Tiotuico, said that tourists can go from one place to another in the country without restriction. It also means, if one is a tour guide in the Philippines, he can also do the same work in other places in the region.
Tiotico added that integration would mean that all ASEAN countries would agree to adopt the same standards for tourism.
The expo is a project of the DOT offices in Central Luzon, Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Region, and the Cordillera Administrative Region event-managed by the Philippine Exhibits and Themepark Corporation. Local travel destinations, tour packages, products and services, souvenirs, arts and crafts and delicacies are showcased in the various provincial and corporate booths.
Photo: from investvine.com