Tourism is an essential vehicle for national development.  Many countries rely on this industry to sustain economic growth.  The Philippines, with its excellent resources — natural, human, and cultural — has a lot of potential to become a premier tourist destination. 

I thought of organizing this AIM–Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism primarily to support various organizations through research, educational programs, conferences, lifelong learning processes, and other scholarly activities to expand the knowledge base available to all stakeholders.  This Center is expected to become a catalyst that will spur the continued development of tourism enterprises not just in the Philippines but also within the greater Asian region.

As we recognize the complex challenges of tourism, the government cannot do it alone.  Every organization — government, business, NGOs, scholars, and the community must collectively address the economic, social, and environmental challenges in the area.  Each of us has a piece of the jigsaw and only when all the parties work together, is the puzzle complete, and all parties maximize their individual goals, locally and nationally.

And so therefore, I welcome you all to our Center, and let this be an important step toward a better and more sustainable society. 

Thank you and Mabuhay!

—
Sec. Jesli A. Lapus, CPA, MBA, DPA

Chairman, AIM Dr. Andrew L. Tan Center for Tourism