NANINIWALA si Senador Migz Zubiri na palalakasin ng private sector investments ang turismo ng bansa sa pamamagitan ng pagpapahusay sa infrastructure at public services.
Ayon kay Zubiri, makatutulong din ito upang maakit ng Pilipinas ang mas maraming foreign tourists na kasalukuyang dumadagsa sa mga kalapit-bansa sa Southeast Asia.
“We have better beaches and scenic spots compared to our Southeast Asian neighbors,” pahayag ng chairman ng Senate Committee on Economic Affairs. “But they surpass us in airports, power supply, public transport, and connectivity. That’s why we’re still lagging despite having better natural attractions.”
Noong 2023, nanguna ang Thailand sa Southeast Asia sa turismo na may 28 million foreign arrivals, sumunod ang Malaysia na may 20 million, Singapore na may 13.6 million, Vietnam na may 12.6 million, Indonesia na may 11.7 million, at Cambodia na may 5.5 million. Ang Pilipinas ay nakapagtala lamang ng 5.4 million foreign visitors.
“Tourism is a key opportunity to boost our GDP growth if we can get things right,” pagbibigay-diin ni Zubiri. “The market and natural resources are available; we just need to invest in our tourism infrastructure.”
Binigyang-diin niya ang pangangailangan na magtulungan ang pamahalaan at pribadong sektor upang magtayo ng mahalagang imprastruktura sa in key at emerging tourism areas, lalo na sa pag-develop ng developing energy generation, transmission, at distribution facilities.
LIZA SORIANO