FIVE SINS THAT STOP THE PHILIPPINES FROM BEING A TOURIST DESTINATION!

As Irene Tuazon in her blog said, COME TO THE PHILIPPINES!  But what for ?  I observe that Australians, Europeans and Americans refuse to visit the country and some due to negative publicities refuse to come due to:

 ·        safety reasons – which the Philippine government should do something about

·        unfriendly and corrupt people in the nation’s main tourism authorities – airport, custom, hotels, airline

·        lack of that atmosphere where tourists are just being left alone to enjoy and explore the country and not being ripped off left right and center by the locals.

·        Undeveloped tourist destinations

·        Uncleanliness and lack of cultural sensitivity in most areas 

So I thought the following five commandments should be observed and imposed if the Philippines is to become a tourist destination. 

1.        THOU SHALL BE POLITE AND FRIENDLY AT THE AIRPORT AND EVERYWHERE.  I wish that people working in the airports (international and domestic) are more friendly, helpful, and professional.  As to efficiency of traffic and flow in the arrival and departure areas, airport management should really learn from other countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Australia.  Overseas contract workers should also get better treatment.  They should also put a stop to the apparent airport mafia in the NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport).  My experience was that due to the inefficient flow of passenger check-in, we were delayed and we missed our flight.  And there was no contingency for passengers while on queue.  There were so many people in their barong tagalogs and walkie talkies just walking to and fro like they were so busy – but no one was really helping.  Being on the waiting list was the worst situation in NAIA, as you are being held captive by vultures who would only want to fleece you and fee you so you could get into your flight and out of the country.  It is a classic case of shooing away tourists and I thought even Gen Douglas MacArthur, would say “I SHALL NOT RETURN”.  

2.        THOU SHALL DISPOSE OF YOUR GARBAGE RELIGIOUSLY AND  PROPERLY.  Local government down to the barangay and purok level should develop an effective and strictly imposed garbage collection, recycling and disposal system in all areas.  Clare Danes’ negative comment about the Philippines being dirty and full of cockroaches I believe is true.  Filipinos should develop sense of cleanliness and orderliness.  Japan being so obsessed with cleanliness has 75 different recycle bins in every household and there are hundreds of instructions on proper disposals.  I observed that there is no recycling rules in the Philippines and people sometimes dump their uncollected garbage in vacant lands and sometimes in the rivers and swamps.  Not realizing that whatever garbage you throw out will ultimately come back to you.  Even if the Philippines should remain to be a third world country – it could still be great by becoming a clean, environmentally and ecologically friendly one,  I believe this can be done even without billions of budget as everyone can contribute towards this by just one action – stop littering!   With its rich natural resources, I believe that Philippines has a great potential to become the next tourist destination in Asia next to Bali and Phuket.  We just really need to clean up! 

3.        THOU SHALL RECYCLE YOUR RESOURCES.  Here in Australia,  recycling has been done ages ago to preserve its resources.  This should be done in the Philippines as well.  One good example the Philippines should adapt is to use reusable green bags in groceries and shopping centers instead of plastic bags.   

4.        THOU SHALL TREAT TOURISTS AS YOUR LOYAL CUSTOMERS AND HOME VISITORS WHO WOULD RETURN AGAIN.   Therefore, people should stop and avoid fleecing tourists with extravagant prices.  I really noticed that everyone from drivers, stall holders, and people on the street stare and then act like vultures when they see foreigners.  Maybe because the Philippines is not used to foreigners coming in the country!  But then things should change once the country starts seeing white people just walking on the streets, markets and public areas. Tourist would soon get tired of just going to touristy areas like Boracay and Puerto Galera, and they would like to observe and taste the ordinary life in the provinces.  Not all tourists have the money to spend in 5 star hotels.  Some would just survive on backpacking and bed and breakfasts.  So these are areas to be improved on.  Like Thailand, Hongkong and other countries in Asia.  

5.        THOU SHALL GO BACK TO THE ORIGINAL FILIPINO CULTURE AND INCORPORATE THESE INTO ALL LEVELS.   I do not mind Filipinos wearing their Barongs and Maria Claras in schools,.works, social events and graces, etc.  I also do not mind really emphasizing the Mano Pos,  the po and opos,  bibingka, suman at puto,  lechon.  The colourful jeepneys should really be preserved.  Develop cultural practices and awareness among the people and create a recurrent showcase for tourism.