MANILA AS ASIA-PACIFIC TOURISM AND SHOPPING HUB
Manila, April 1, 1998 - President Ramos renewed his government's commitment to make the Philippines a tourism hub and shopping capital of Asia and the Pacific region.
In a speech opening the 47th Pacific Asia Travel Association annual conference, Ramos acknowledged the vital role of tourism as a dollar earner and its influence on the citizenry's quality of life.
"As we face a new millennium, tourism has indeed gone a long way. Where it used to be considered a low priority among governments, today it is a major concern in government policy- making and a top contributor to economic growth," he said.
The President also noted the role of tourism in promoting peace, international understanding and interdependence. At the same time, he urged PATA delegates to work together in the face of the currency crisis plaguing East Asian countries, including the Philippines.
"This is pre-eminently the time for concerned agendas and initiatives to be launched together by nations in this region," Ramos said. "Although the financial crisis has battered our economies considerably, it has also spawned the sort of conditions which can fuel tourist arrivals and expansion. Everything has suddenly become cheaper for the visitor."
Citing a report, Ramos said tourism contributed about 8.7% to the country's gross domestic product (GNP) last year and generated 2.3 million jobs in the Philippines.
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