President Aquino expects 14M tourists by 2014

President Benigno Aquino 3rd said Saturday he expects tourist arrivals in the country to hit 14 million by 2014 as the country reaps the benefits of modernized airports and other infrastructures through the government’s private-public partnership (PPP) program.

Aquino led the inauguration of the rehabilitation of the Caticlan Airport—also known as Go–dofredo P. Ramos Airport—considered as one of the PPP projects that would bring long-term benefits for the country by creating more jobs for people in the tourism sector.

“Ang bagong terminal na ito ay maituturing natin na isang malaking trangkahan na magbubukas ng maraming oportunidad. Hindi lamang para sa labas-masok na mga banyagang negosyante at turista ngunit higit sa lahat para sa patuloy na pagyabong ng turismo sa bansa,” Aquino said.

With 3.5 million tourists last year, the Philippines still lags behind its neighbors such as Malaysia and Thailand, which boast of 22 million and 14 million visitors, respectively.

“Three and half million is still a far cry from 14 [million], which we hope to achieve sooner rather than later. Perhaps as early as 2014,” Aquino said.

The government intends to hold bidding for PPP projects to establish international airports in Panglao in Bohol, Daraga in Albay, Puerto Princesa in Palawan and Cagayan de Oro City.

San Miguel Corp. through its affiliate TransAire Development Holdings Corp. developed the Caticlan airport under a build-operate-transfer scheme. TransAire will operate the airport for 25 years based on the agreement with the government.

The country’s biggest food and beverage maker modernized the airport by putting two X-ray machines, additional luggage area, provided ambulance and fire trucks as well as a computerized check-in counter. State-of-the-art scanners also strengthened security at the airport.

SMC installed new airport navigation and runway lighting systems, allowing the terminal to accommodate night-time flights like big airports in the country.

Around 700,000 tourists arrive in Caticlan Airport every year and with the planned widening and development of the airstrip, the government expects annual tourist arrival in the island to pick up to three million, Aquino said.

The President added that the economy of the province of Aklan stands to gain a minimum of P322.50 billion from the expansion should every tourist spend $1,000, for food, transportation and souvenir items excluding lodging and hotel.

Among the added features of the airport will be a jetty port that will allow easy transfer from the airport to Caticlan. It can also serve up to two international cruise liners at a time.

To complement the airport expansion, a 5,000-room budget hotel will rise within the airport as well as world-class convention center with a seating capacity of 25,000.

A shopping mall will also be built housing entertainment facilities, souvenir shops, night clubs and seafood restaurants, which will all be managed by local operators and associations.

BY KRISTA ANGELA M. MONTEALEGRE