EVAT hurts domestic tourists

	NORDIS WEEKLY November 13, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
EVAT hurts domestic tourists — DOT
BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 9) — Regional Director Pura Molintas of the Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) admitted that the implementation of the expanded value added tax (E-VAT) would hit the tourism industry. However, she disclosed that there is an increasing trend of tourist arrivals in the Cordillera this last quarter of 2005 until the first quarter of 2006. DOT said that domestic tourists would be more likely affected by the impact of E-VAT than the foreign visitors would. According to Molintas foreign tourists will have no problem with E-VAT since they spend dollars. Molintas added that the transport sector is one of the sectors worst hit by E-VAT. This, she said, increases costs for domestic tourists. In this light, she encouraged tour agencies to adopt “competitive pricing schemes” attractive to both domestic and international visitors. She also disclosed that domestic tourists comprise 90% to 95% while foreign tourists account for only 5% to 10%. Molintas further said that this year’s tourism in the region is better compared to last year. She said that in the last quarter of 2004, the region’s tourism collapsed due to the meningococcemia scare. However, this year the tourist arrival doubled, she added that hotels are already fully booked until March next year. However, Molintas stressed Baguio City is struggling with new emerging tourist spots in the country. She said that health, sanitation, peace and order are big considerations for tourists in choosing their destinations. She admitted that there is a need to improve the traffic situation, sewage system and air quality of the city. “We need to act fast if we really want to keep with emerging destinations,” Molintas stressed. Meanwhile, Molintas said the bird flu virus should not stifle the region’s tourism. She said that local government units are doing everything they can to arrest the said virus. She mentioned that a traditional activity like the ikik, the catching of migratory birds, is now being stopped to prevent the onset of bird flu. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next

	NORDIS WEEKLY November 13, 2005
Home \| To bottom	Previous \| Next
EVAT hurts domestic tourists — DOT
BAGUIO CITY (Nov. 9) — Regional Director Pura Molintas of the Department of Tourism-Cordillera Administrative Region (DOT-CAR) admitted that the implementation of the expanded value added tax (E-VAT) would hit the tourism industry. However, she disclosed that there is an increasing trend of tourist arrivals in the Cordillera this last quarter of 2005 until the first quarter of 2006. DOT said that domestic tourists would be more likely affected by the impact of E-VAT than the foreign visitors would. According to Molintas foreign tourists will have no problem with E-VAT since they spend dollars. Molintas added that the transport sector is one of the sectors worst hit by E-VAT. This, she said, increases costs for domestic tourists. In this light, she encouraged tour agencies to adopt “competitive pricing schemes” attractive to both domestic and international visitors. She also disclosed that domestic tourists comprise 90% to 95% while foreign tourists account for only 5% to 10%. Molintas further said that this year’s tourism in the region is better compared to last year. She said that in the last quarter of 2004, the region’s tourism collapsed due to the meningococcemia scare. However, this year the tourist arrival doubled, she added that hotels are already fully booked until March next year. However, Molintas stressed Baguio City is struggling with new emerging tourist spots in the country. She said that health, sanitation, peace and order are big considerations for tourists in choosing their destinations. She admitted that there is a need to improve the traffic situation, sewage system and air quality of the city. “We need to act fast if we really want to keep with emerging destinations,” Molintas stressed. Meanwhile, Molintas said the bird flu virus should not stifle the region’s tourism. She said that local government units are doing everything they can to arrest the said virus. She mentioned that a traditional activity like the ikik, the catching of migratory birds, is now being stopped to prevent the onset of bird flu. # Kim Quitasol for NORDIS
Home \| Back to top	Previous \| Next