TURISTA-ra Na! Micro-Tourism Enterprise Project Launched to Boost RP’s Tourist Hotspots

Philippine retailers, especially those in the micro and small business sectors, still have a lot of room for improvement. Here's hoping this initiative will further enhance the good image of our tourism industry.

Press Release:

Tourist hotspots all over the country will get the much needed boost they need for tourism spending as the Department of Tourism (DoT) and Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) launch TURISTA-ra Na! Lakbay-Turo para sa Micro-Tourism Enterprise, a multi-sectoral project that aims to look into prevailing retail practices of micro entrepreneurs in tourism spots in the country and update and upgrade retailers’ aptitude on retail tools and skills.

The project, which also includes the support and cooperation of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), will be done through a series of seminars featuring renowned resource speakers and retail specialists who will share retail best practices, innovations, and tools necessary to the performance of the audience’s duty.

DoT Secretary Alberto A. Lim hails the project as a true social initiative for making sure grassroots retailers in these tourist areas will be up-to-date with the latest trends and practices and reflect excellence in catering to tourists. “Tourism greatly helped the retail industry last year as spending went up due to the increased visitor turnout. And now with this micro-tourism enterprise project in full swing, we do hope we can exceed expectations this year,” he says.

Meanwhile, PRA Vice-Chair Ma. Alegria S. Limjoco stressed the need for more training for retailers in these areas. “The need to learn from these retail experts will definitely have a big impact for our small and micro entrepreneurs. They can improve their services and think and create new ways on how to attract tourists to buy and avail of their goods and services, which in turn can make their businesses grow,” she adds.

The micro-tourism enterprise project will give free training to owners of micro-enterprises. Initial areas wherein the project will start include some of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, which include Boracay, Baguio, Cebu, Bohol and Palawan.

Tourism greatly helped accelerate the retail industry as the Department of Tourism reported that 27% of tourist spending in 2010 went to shopping. Likewise, the 2010 retail industry grew by 12% from 5.5% in 2009.