Publisher’s Note
Infra Enhancement also
a Boon for Tourism
I
t was indeed welcoming news that tourism arrivals in the country reached the 7 million
arrivals mark last year: 7,127,168 to be exact. This represented an impressive 7.65 growth
rate versus the 6.6 million recorded in 2017.
Amidst the brouhaha over the temporary closure of Boracay--which resulted in making
this flagship island resort destination much more pristine and eco-friendly-- as well as the
spirit of volunteerism that has helped restore Manila Bay to its breathtaking glory, more new
infrastructure projects are being built and upgraded: airports, roads, rail systems, as well as
sea-to-land links.
We also appreciate the efforts of MARINA in doing their part to contribute to tourism
development in the country. During its 2019 Plans and Programs Media Briefing held last January
29 at the new MARINA headquarters in Port Area, the government agency announced the opening
of 19 more Ro-Ro links, which are missionary routes. While MARINA officials stressed the need for
ship owners to invest part of their CSR (corporate social responsibility) projects on these routes that
will open up more economic opportunities for our countrymen in far-flung areas, tourism-wise, this
will also be a boon for more adventurous travellers--both foreign and Filipino--in search of more
placid, secluded alternative getaways they may encounter along the said missionary routes.
Let us also remember that Boracay also wasn't built in a day!
PHILIP O. ORTALEZA
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