A hotel executive thinks that the government plays an important part in the revival of the tourism industry, which has been impacted severely by the pandemic.
Erik Monsanto, the marketing and public relations head of Bluewater Resorts issued the statement during a radio interview over Newsmakers Ug Uban Pa hosted by Ardy Araneta-Batoy and Dave Albarado on July 6, 2022.
Monsanto pointed out that the government can greatly help the tourism sector in a myriad of ways.
He said the government should come up with key infrastructure to ensure the ease of access to tourism sites for the convenience of tourists.
He pointed out that the Strong Nautical Highway project of former President now Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has made it easier for tourists to visit sites in the country via land vehicles as an alternative to air and sea travel.
TOURISM RECOVERY
He emphasized that it is not only the direct tourism stakeholders who are severely affected by the pandemic, but everyone including those who are providing services and goods to tourists.
“The players in the hotel and tourism industry should not think sila ray naglisod, it is hard for everybody,” he told the radio program anchors.
The key step towards revitalizing the tourism industry is to gather the stakeholders and craft solutions for the sake of the industry, he said.
PROMOTING THE DESTINATION
He said in Bluewater they did not promote only their resort but more importantly, they focus on promoting the destination itself.
“You promote the destination. You have to invest like we did. We invested money, effort and resources to do it, because you really need to put resources in promoting your destination to make it attractive to tourists,” he explained.
The beauty of a destination is useless if no one knows about it, he added.
Moreover, all stakeholders should put an effort to preserve the beauty of the destination.
Practicing sustainability programs has been a hallmark of Bluewater.
Furthermore, Monsanto said that since 2016, Bluewater has been receiving the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Green Hotel Award for the property in Maribago.
“We [Bluewater] are considered and recognized by the ASEAN as a green hotel in Southeast Asia,” he quipped.