Developing the country’s tourism industry would bring inclusive growth and allow Filipinos to enjoy its benefits from the grassroots, Special Assistant to the President (SAP) Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go told members of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP).

Go recently met with ATOP members and called on them to help the government boost the promotion as well as the protection of various tourist destinations in the country.

“Tourism plays an important role in developing the local communities,” he said.

“Tourism officers, as promoters of our country’s various assets, do not only bring in income to LGU (local government units) and domestic entrepreneurs, you also help us guard our natural resources and help us enlighten and educate the public on how to enjoy our country without exploiting them,” he added.

He credited ATOP for bringing up the urgency in rehabilitating the country’s tourism spot, like Boracay, and submitted a resolution in April this year to push the restoration agenda even before President Rodrigo Duterte stepped in.

Mr. Duterte ordered the closure of Boracay starting April 26 for six months to pave the way for its rehabilitation. The President gave the directive after describing the popular holiday destination as a “cesspool” to highlight its environmental degradation.

Go added, “Your job is not only to promote but also help both locals and tourists in protecting the welfare of our stakeholders. If the environment is destroyed, the livelihood of small entrepreneurs who earn from tourism will also be adversely affected.”

At the same time, the executive said the President is committed to supporting the promotion of other tourist destinations in the Philippines.

“The President and I are ready to give any assistance to the country’s tourism industry,” he said.

ATOP is a nationwide organization composed of local tourism officers from across the country. It was formed in 2000 to promote the culture of tourism at the community level.