Boracay biz group partners with media for stronger tourism development
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

BORACAY – With media as steadfast partner in promoting tourism, the Boracay Foundation, Inc. (BFI) foresees a brighter and stronger tourism industry ahead.
Speaking at the 2010 Visayas Media Forum at Casa Pilar Beach Resort, BFI president Loubelle Cann said the power of media has been tested in countless occasions, but what worry them most are those that generates negative impact to the tourism industry, the most recent, of which was the August 23 hostage taking in Manila.
“While the blame is not singly pointed out to the media, one fact remains, the media is a potent force on how people make bad decisions and create negative impressions that resulted to enormous losses. It is in this situation that we are reminded of the need for effective communication characterized by responsive and responsible, balanced, transparent and contributory to the common good of the majority.”
Cann said the two-day forum, organized by the Publishers Association of the Philippines, Inc. (PAPI) and BFI in cooperation with the Aklan Press Club, Aklan Media Forum and the Visayas Media Association, is an opportunity to relearn and affirm the commitment for responsible journalism.
“PAPI has very well responded to the call of times by providing communication practitioners with ways to responsibly serve the industry and the nation. This year’s theme emphasized the relationship between the news media and the tourism industry in the nation’s economic development. Your stay and coming here is a worthwhile investment for Boracay and the entire nation,” she said.

Cann also stressed that with media as partner in the promotion and marketing of tourism, the promise of a brighter, better and stronger tourism industry are surely within reach.
BFI chairman Henry Chusuey, for his part, said the forum is a timely and positive response to the events that have caused a month of crisis to the tourism industry.
“The forum theme is a source of hope and a positive indication of a highly successful development partnership. It brings out opportunity for us to do our best in making sure that being responsible stewards of information and communication media will result in a healthier, far grander and brighter economic driver – the tourism industry, and most importantly we give spirit to the longed Filipino dream, service for a stronger Nation,” he stressed.
Chusuey also challenged the public to be actively engaged for an effective communication program on tourism development through government, private sector and media partnership.
In a related development, PAPI president Juan ‘Johnny’ Dayang lauded the hospitality of BFI for media delegates from as far as Isabela in Luzon and Davao in Mindanao attended the forum.
Close to 100 publishers, editors, broadcasters, commentators, and writers graced the opening ceremonies in the afternoon of September 25 held at the Boracay Regency Beach Resort and Convention Center together with Malay town mayor John Yap, Philippine Information Agency (PIA) Director General John Pavia, Tourism Undersecretary Simeon Marfori II, former Aklan Rep. Allen Quimpo, Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta and Provincial Administrator Diego Luces.
The dinner program at Casa Pilar Beach Resort was also attended by Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and Albay Governor Joey Salceda.