DOT chief backs revival of holiday economics
MANILA, Philippines – Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim has welcomed the announcement of Malacanang declaring June 20 as a special non-working holiday.
Lim said they are studying the possibility of reviving the holiday economics of the previous administration where holidays were adjusted to create long weekends that encouraged domestic tourism and resulted in higher visitor arrivals and more tourism revenues for favorite local destinations.
“We just have to avoid the abuses of the past,” said the DOT chief.
He explained that creating new holidays is counter-productive. But, there is no loss in productivity by moving holidays in the middle of the week to a Friday or Monday and it is good for tourism, “You are actually enticing consumers to take trips and spend their money elsewhere.”
Lim added that a two-day weekend is too short for people who have to travel out of town and having long weekends is good for communities with local attractions.
“We will forward our recommendation to the president once it has been thought out thoroughly and finalized,” said the secretary.
(The Philippine Star) Updated May 16, 2011 12:00 AM/ http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?publicationSubCategoryId=66&articleId=686402
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