The government has a sustained promotion of the Philippines’ tourism industry through the mass media, but three Lin-ay sang Negros candidates believe that a personal approach could be a more effective way of endorsing the country’s colorful festivals, native products, and scenic places.

Lin-ay sang Sipalay City, Dari Grace De Gracia, said that word of mouth is very effective. “We should make sure that foreign tourists are really satisfied when they visit the country so they would tell good stories to their friends when they go home,” she said.

De Garcia, 21, who earned her B.S. Tourism degree at the Negros Oriental State University, said she believes that media endorsements of the country’s tourist attractions will be useless if they are contradicted by what visitors actually experience.

Isabela town’s Aida Mari Enuslay, 17, supports De Gracia’s opinion, saying that the public, particularly community leaders, must be role models in supporting state tourism programs.

The B.S. Hotel and Restaurant Management major also noted that, aside from corruption in the government, the lack of self-discipline among many Filipinos contributes to the negative factors that affect the country’s tourism.

Melanie Flor Agustin of Himamaylan, 19, on the other hand, said that if people would develop their talents into skills, they could also become productive contributors by endorsing the attractions of their towns and cities.

Agustin, who took up a degree in tourism and is into dancing and singing, also said that, despite the scandals that involve politicians and other downbeat things about the Philippines, people could still contribute to tourism promotion by being tourists in their own country.*PP

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