Enrile asks DOT to develop other PHL tourist spots

Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile has asked the Department of Tourism (DOT) to develop other unexplored tourist spots in the Philippines. "I notice that you market (already) developed places... but you have never really developed new places," Enrile said during Wednesday's Senate finance committee hearing on the proposed budget of the DOT for 2012. Enrile said the DOT usually promotes the already commercialized spots in the country like Boracay in Aklan, Panglao in Bohol, and Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte. But he said the department has yet to explore northern Palawan and the northeastern areas in Luzon, where he said there are a lot of unexploited white sand beaches. "I just challenge you to go there. You will wake up and wonder why our people have not seen our area," he said. Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez, who was present during the hearing, said they "accept the challenge." "We commend the fresh eye to all possible touristic sites in the country," Jimenez said. What attracts foreign tourists In the same hearing, Enrile said the DOT should not focus so much on developing infrastructure in Philippine cities because that is not what attracts foreign tourists to the country. "They want to see nature in this country. They will not come here to see beautiful buildings and beautiful cities... they cannot compete with Beijing or Shanghai," he said. Also in the hearing, the DOT said there was a 16-percent increase in the number of arrivals in the country in 2010. On the other hand, 25 million Filipinos traveled around the country during the same year. The proposed budget of the DOT for 2012 is P4 billion. The Senate hearing was still ongoing as of posting time. — RSJ, GMA News