The incoming secretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) yesterday vowed to implement “shared governance” with private sector as she aims to make the tourism industry more inclusive and a major pillar for economic recovery and resilience.
Addressing DOT employees at the agency’s head office yesterday, Christina Frasco said the best way forward for the tourism industry is through collaboration with the national government, the local government units, and all tourism stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
In a press conference, Frasco said the incoming administration’s vision is to revitalize the tourism industry, and to ensure that it is inclusive by giving “focus to all regions to replicate best practices in tourism that have already been proven successful and to introduce innovations and digitalization where necessary.”
She said a region worthy of attention is Mindanao which has some of the most beautiful destinations but is challenged by peace and order that has gotten in the way of the full development of this region.
Saying there is wisdom in developing tourism in Mindanao, Frasco said the DOT will “reach out to this region, to exert the services, the talents, the expertise of the members of the Department to ensure that they receive the appropriate training, promotion and marketability that they should have and will have moving forward. “
Frasco said DOT will aim to not just recover the tourism numbers lost but further increase it by harnessing potential markets.
Frasco said as a native of Cebu – whose economy is largely dependent on tourism – she has seen first-hand the devastating effects of the pandemic and the recent calamities.
“I bring with me the perspective of the difficulties faced by our tourism stakeholders as well as my local government experience,” Frasco said.
She added her experience in Cebu demonstrated the importance to share governance not only with the public sector, but also with the private sector.
“Shared tourism governance … can help the Department of Tourism perform in a manner that is inclusive where we give opportunities for branding, promotion, and development not only to a select few, but to all of our sites across our beautiful country that have the potential for development,” Frasco said.
She added DOT aims to further expand its services not only to the local governments that are blessed with natural resources but are also blessed with the talents of people and the products that have potential for national and global marketability. – Irma Isip
