ANGELES CITY – Former tourism secretary Richard Gordon has backed US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr.’s claim that at least 40 percent of male foreign tourists come to the country for sex, as he noted that “cyber criminals” promoting the Philippines as sex destination have become “more efficient” than the government.
This, amid a report bared here Friday by the Department of Tourism during the national meeting of National Association of Independent Travel Agencies of the Philippines, Inc. (NAITAP) that the Philippines now ranks merely sixth among Southeast Asian nations in terms of tourist arrivals.
Socorro Caraig, chief of the accreditation division of the DOT, revealed during her briefing statistics indicating that annual tourist arrivals in the Philippines was estimated at only 3.3 million, which is sixth in ranking below Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Malaysia’s annual tourist arrivals reach about 25 million, she noted.
In a telephone interview with Punto, Gordon lamented the failure of the Aquino government to promote a wholesome image of the Philippines. He is currently the chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross.
“We do not have a positive image. We do not have an image at all,” said Gordon whose Wow Philippines slogan boosted tourism during his term as tourism secretary during the Arroyo administration.
Gordon lamented that in the absence of any positive image to promote the country as a wholesome destination, most foreigners derive their information about the country from internet websites, including many which promote sex in the country.
“There is no shortage of sexual deviants in the world,” he said.
Gordon urged the government agencies, such as the National Bureau of Investigation, to clamp down on “cyber criminals” promoting sex tourism in the country.
He also called on the Aquino government to wage a campaign to promote the Philippines as a wholesome tourist destination.
The other day, the US ambassador said “maybe up to 40 percent of foreign men who come here come for sexual tourism and that is unacceptable.”
“Any of them engaged in things that violate the law whether they are American or other foreigner should be prosecuted. That is against human values,” Thomas added, even as he urged the government to refine and strengthen its anti- trafficking law to ensure the conviction of foreigners involved in sex crimes.
Thomas said the US government is resolved to prosecute any American involved in cybersex and human trafficking.
Gordon said blamed sex tourism in the country for the rise in cases of HIV and AIDS. Latest statistics indicated that HIV and AIDS in the country has already breached the 7,000 mark.
He said he would not object to the government using his WOW Philippines slogan, provided it is followed by a catchy phrase that could get the attention of tourists. He noted that the country is not short of legitimate tourist attractions.
Travel agency executives who attended the NAITAP meeting here expressed doubts on Thomas’s claim.
Sidney Hatada, chief executive officer of Mile Connections Travel and Tours based in Baguio City, said he has never encountered tourists who sought sex destinations in the past five years he has been engaged in tourism in the country.
“I should say that at least in Baguio, it might be only one percent, but I have not personally encountered anyone seeking sex diversion, he said.
Aurora Agustin, manager of Amega Travel and Tours Services based in Angeles City, said sex tourism has never been part of the package of travel agencies operating in Angeles.
“Our tours include Mt. Pinatubo, golf at Clark, tourism packages now being promoted by local towns in Pampanga, but we never tour them at the red light district in Angeles although I suppose they know it exists,” added Agustin, as she also cited the great potential of medical tourism in the country.
