P20-B tourism investment to bring 3,000 jobs

ABOUT 3,000 jobs will be created with the P20-billion worth of investments in the tourism industry this year, the Department of Tourism (DoT) has said.

Noting that the agency was in one of the sectors least battered by the global financial crisis, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said he hoped the investments would trickle down to other sectors.

“With this initial list of investments, the country is assured of a vibrant tourism industry, with bigger revenues and more jobs. And consequently, these will lead to developments in transportation and road infrastructures,” Durano said.

The projects are the Park Bed and Breakfast Hotel and Restaurant (48 rooms) in Pasay City; Sugihara Villa Resort, Vauban Villa Resort, Salamanca Villa Resort, Almonavides Villa Resort, La Galice Villa Resort, Kapangyarihan Villa Resort, and La Pucelle Villa Resort-Amanpulo group in Pamalican Island, Palawan (28 cluster villas); Oakwood Serviced Residences (232 rooms) in Pasig City; Imperial Palace Water Park Resort and Spa (616 rooms) in Cebu; and Shangri-La’s Boracay Resort and Spa (217 rooms).

The projects, which have a total value of P20 billion, will provide 2,000 more rooms.

Set for launch in the months ahead are Discovery Bay Misibis, Manila Ocean Park which expanded its facilities, Picasso Serviced Residences, Newport Marriot Hotel, Maxim’s Hotel, Microtel Inns and Suite Puerto Princesa, and Silang Wakeboard Park.

Meanwhile, the endorsement for the Bella Roca Island Resort and Spa in Marinduque province, which is included in the DoT’s list, is currently being processed by the agency.

Durano said the tourism industry will weather the financial crisis. He noted that tourism investments in the country continued to pour in and demand from local travelers and from new markets like Russia and India would shore up the sector.–Kristine L. Alave, Philippine Daily Inquirer