More than the white-sand beaches and awe-inspiring caves, it is the Filipinos’ attitude toward visitors that is most liked by tourists who flocked the country, the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) said.
In the latest issue of Beyond the Numbers, NSCB Secretary General Jose Ramon G. Albert said more than half or 52.6% of foreign visitors in 2012 said the warm hospitality and kindness of the Filipino people made it to the top of their list of things they like most about the Philippines.
In the latest issue of Beyond the Numbers, NSCB Secretary General Jose Ramon G. Albert said more than half or 52.6% of foreign visitors in 2012 said the warm hospitality and kindness of the Filipino people made it to the top of their list of things they like most about the Philippines.
Beautiful scenery and nice beaches only came in second (at 22.6%), while good food, liquor, and fruits was ranked third (9.9%).
Albert also noted the tourists favored being able to see their friends and loved ones in the Philippines (8.7%), and see the country as a good place to relax (4.5%).
However, with regard to what tourists dislike the most in the Philippines, 24.6% said it was the heavy traffic in the country.
This was followed by pollution and dirty environment (17.3%), poverty and beggars (7.8%), and bad weather (4.7%).
Visitor arrivals last year breached the 4-million mark for the first time at 4.27 million, although it fell short of the government’s target of attracting 4.5 million tourists.
Almost a fourth or 24.1% of the visitors came from Korea, while 15.3% were from the US, and 9.6% hailed from Japan.
The government eyes to welcome 5.5 million tourists this year and eventually attract 10 million visitors by 2016.
“The national government, local governments, and the private sector should work hand in hand to attain the targets in the tourism sector and be able to contribute immensely to inclusive growth and employment generation,” Albert said.
However, he stressed that ecological aspects and issues should also be addressed while promoting the tourism sector as a driver of economic growth.
“So if you are a local tourist, you are not just relaxing or enjoying the fun and adventures, you are also contributing to the economy. I am hoping that more of our tycoons…can significantly invest in making this country more marketable not only to foreign tourists, but to local tourists as well,” Albert said.
This, as domestic travelers in 2011 reached 21.03 million or 21% higher than the previous year.
“I also hope that our hotels can try to be more competitive with their accommodation costs as total revenues are a sum of unit prices multiplied by quantities. These hotels can certainly bring down their costs and get more volume, and still yield a nifty profit,” Albert continued.
