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RP moves up in tourism ranking to 81st

By Bobbit Mariano

03/24/2008

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has moved Philippine tourism industry’s global ranking from 86th to 81st position based on its 2008 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report.

WEF’s yearly Tourism Report measures the viability and attractiveness of the travel and tourism industry in 103 countries around the world, and particularly focus on balancing economic development with environmental sustainability.

Based on the WEF study, the Philippines’ tourism industry ranks 81st among the 130 surveyed countries and scored 3.7 points in the overall competitive index.

The country earned 4.1 points in the regulatory framework index, which considers existing policy rules, environmental sustainability, security, health and the prioritization of the tourism industry in the national economy.

In terms of business environment and infrastructure, the Philippines was given a 3.2 score. Price competitiveness, a factor in this area, was marked at 5.5, and earned for the country the ninth spot in terms of global ranking.

The island’s human, cultural and natural resources scored 3.8 points, with the availability of qualified labor earning the most points.

WEF ranking was based on public records data, international tourism institutions, industry experts, as well as results from an executive opinion survey. The gathered information is analyzed and applied to a scoring system, where seven ranks the highest.

The competitive index highlights a country’s tourism industry in factors such as regulatory framework, business environment and infrastructure, and available human, cultural and natural resources.

“The country’s moving up in rank confirms the efforts and the qualitative positive feedback that the local stakeholders and the Department have been receiving,” Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said.

“The report provides policy makers and industry leaders with additional resources to help steer the industry in the right direction what strengths to build up and highlight, as well as where we need to improve if we are to develop travel and tourism into a major economic driver and provider of livelihood for our people,” Durano emphasized.

The Tourism Report added the WEF estimates the Philippine tourism industry to be worth $5.7 billion in 2007, reflecting a 4.4-percent annual growth and employing about 1.3 million people.

2007 was deemed a year of breakthroughs for the Department of Tourism as foreign visitor arrivals breached 3 millionth the mark to hit 3.09 million. Tourist expenditure was posted $4.885 billion.

WEF is a Geneva-based non-profit organization that advocates global development through partnerships with industry and policy leaders to address international and regional issues.