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PSAC to help Marcos gov ’ t jumpstart Philippine tourism
With the easing of global pandemic restrictions , it is high time for the Philippine travel and tourism industry to get a jumpstart . In September , President Ferdinand “ Bongbong ” Marcos Jr . ( PBBM ) met with the Private Sector Advisory Council ( PSAC ) Tourism Sector to shore up plans to develop a globally competitive Philippine tourism industry and support the millions of Filipinos employed in the trade .
PBBM opened the meeting , followed by a few remarks from PSAC strategic convenor and Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin Aboitiz , who joined via virtual call . The floor was then handed over to PSAC Tourism Sector Lead and Robinsons Land Corporation CEO Frederick Go who presented their recommendations to promote and strengthen the tourism industry .
The quick wins and strategic recommendations follow a five-step road map – ( 1 ) increase international visitation ; ( 2 ) strengthen domestic tourism ; ( 3 ) promote tourism investments ; ( 4 ) build tourism infrastructure ; and ( 5 ) improve the national brand and image of the country by correcting false perceptions and promoting our numerous true qualities . These would lay the foundation for long-term tourism and economic development nationwide , making the Philippines the ideal tourist destination — home to warm and friendly Filipinos , a rich and vibrant culture and cuisine , and many of the world ’ s most stunningly beautiful islands and beaches .
PBBM felt the full support and received substantial input from several PSAC Tourism Sector members — Philippine Retailers Association Vice Chairman for International Relations Roberto Claudio Sr ; Filinvest Development Corporation President and CEO Josephine Gotianun-Yap ; Hertz Philippines CEO Rene Limcaoco ; LT Group Vice Chairman and COO Lucio C . Tan III ; PSAC Secretariat Head and Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc . ( AEV ) Chief of Staff Gie Polanco ; and PSAC Communications Lead and AEV First Vice President of Reputation Management Ginggay Hontiveros-Malvar .
Robinsons Land Corporation Business Development Officer Leslie Vanessa Lim was also in the meeting together with Presidential Management Staff Secretary Zenaida Angping , Department of Tourism ( DOT ) Undersecretary Shalihmar Tamano , DOT Undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan and Department of Foreign Affairs – Foreign Service Officer Maria Louella Duarte .
Starbucks Philippines targets 40-45 new stores annually as sales recover
Starbucks Philippines announced it would open more stores in the country as part of its “ deliberate ” plan to heighten its local presence , as its business recovers from a pandemic-led slump .
The nationwide expansion means opening an average of 40-45 new Starbucks stores annually , Noey Lopez , company president and chief executive , told reporters . Starbucks Philippines is owned and operated by Rustan Coffee Corp .
While Starbucks has not revealed where those stores will be located , Lopez said that the coffee giant would be “ deliberate ” in its expansion . He revealed that a “ sizeable ” number of those fresh stores , possibly half of the yearly target , would be drive-thru branches , which rose to greater prominence during the pandemic lockdown when contagion fears prompted consumers to avoid dining in .
“ Quite a sizeable percentage of stores that we ’ re opening because those are the ones that resonate with customers ,” Lopez said .
The expansion plan comes at a time pandemic-hit companies that survived harsh lockdowns have started to recover amid a reopened domestic economy , cashing in on the so-called “ revenge spending ”. Without disclosing any figures , Lopez said Starbucks Philippines observed a double-digit revenue growth this year , even exceeding its 2019 performance . Recovery was not easy , he added , as 2020 proved “ really slow ” for Starbucks ’ sales .
Even then , Lopez maintained that Starbucks kept its status as a market force within the country .
“ I can speak to 2022 , we ’ re way past 2019 numbers . Very strong in terms of sales ,” he said . “ I can say we ’ re the market leader in terms of the number of stores and probably estimated revenue if you compare us with any other brand ,” he added .
Philippine Star , 11 / 29 / 22
The meeting ended on a positive note as PBBM accepted all the recommendations and assigned government agencies to begin coordination and implementation . These mavericks of industry leveraged their expertise and experiences in service of the Philippine tourism industry and those it supports .
Journal Online , 09 / 30 / 22