Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta said yesterday that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's declaration of a state of emergency would not affect at all the tourism promotion efforts of the country.

We don't foresee a backlash because of Proclamation 1017. It's just a statement of fact, like saying that there is a flooding or typhoon, Trompeta, who was among the guests at the opening of the 1st Travel Xchange at the Robinsons Place Bacolod yesterday, said.

He said that the President's move to counter attempts to overthrow her administration is a signal of strong government and shows that she is not cowed by political adventurism.

Trompeta said that the Department of Tourism is now doubling its efforts to achieve its targets, particularly the five million tourists in the next five years, after hitting an unprecedented tourist arrivals in 2005.

The Philippines last year recorded 2.6 million in tourist arrivals or an increase of 13 percent from 2004 data.

He added that the 1st Travel Xchange is a perfect complement to the efforts of the local tourism industry to capture its market and for suppliers to tap the market in Bacolod and Negros Occidental.

Tourism Assistant Secretary Cynthia Carreon also lauded the event organizers, headed by Charles Lim, for coming up with the tourism promotion activity which is only usually held in Metro Manila.

This is start and I hope it will become bigger and bigger, she said.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he hopes that the event will stir more interest in the local tourism industry and will stir more travels among the Bacoleños.

It could trigger a chain reaction that will be beneficial for all of us, he said.

The 1st Travel Xchange will run until March 5.*NLG

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