GUIMARAS ISLAND – The country's tourism industry is expected to sustain its growth despite the growing impact of the economic recession in the United States and the global rice supply crisis, Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano said.

“We have the momentum. We are in a  better position now than we started three years ago in taking advantage of more emerging markets,” Durano said Saturday at the launching of the Guisi Discovery Quest, a community-based tourist adventure and heritage site at Nueva Valencia town on the island-province of Guimaras.

Durano said tourist arrivals in the country would not suffer a dent with the expected global economic impact of the US recession and rice crisis.

He said that foreign travel “is really a luxury” and involves those with extra income who will not be affected by the economic crunch.

Tourist arrivals from the US for the first three months of this year increased by six percent, Durano claimed. He added that visitors from the country's fastest growing tourism market--China and Russia—have also continued to grow. “They're not slowing down at all,” he said.

Tourism is among the top contributors to the country's economy.

Durano said tourism generated around $4.88 billion or more than P200 billion last year. Around P120 billion was also invested in tourism including infrastructure projects.

With the growing number of tourists, Durano said they are confident of reaching their target of drawing 3.5 million tourists this year.

He said tourist arrivals could be increased by fully maximizing the growing popularity of eco-tourism or adventure sites.

These sites like the Guisi Discovery Quest and whale shark watching in Donsol are in demand by high-spending tourists coming from developed countries.

“Travelers coming from developed countries are more and more conscious of their environmental footprints. It makes them feel good that by being travelers, they're also contributing to ecological conservation and community preservation and development,” Durano said.*NPB

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