Ease of travel, good food are a plus

“With more British  tourists coming to the Philippines, the country can  make it  easier for visitors to reach  destinations with better roads,    airports and transportation.

Connectivity is key, said  British Ambassador Asif Anwar Ahmad in a talk with reporters yesterday.

He said he was  glad there are now  direct flights between UK and the Philippines as well as convenient airport transfers to Cebu.

After a straight 14-hour flight from Europe,  tourists want to get to their resorts immediately, he said, something that requires  more investment in infrastructure.

Ahmad was in Cebu for the British Embassy’s Great Campaign which aims to present the best of British business and culture to the world.

Ahmad said the number of British tourists has been increasing over the past years. A total of 120,000 UK residents visited the  Philippines last year.

Improve what is already here, he said, such as  air-conditioning some  jeepneys and making sure bancas are safe to ride.

“You have very delicious food that only needs packaging and branding to be known globally just like  Thai and Chinese food which are known around the world,” he said.

The ambassador was asked if the Jan. 25  Mamasapano clash in Mindanao  where 44 police commandos  were killed by Muslim rebels would affect the prospect of  British tourists visiting the country.

“Follow the path of  peace. Say what you agree and disagree on and why. Always make peace your aim,” he said.

He said he would  like every Filipino to work towards resolving the long-running armed conflict in Mindanao.

He said the United Kingdom also had a long history of conflict before it  reached  its current peaceful state.

“What happened here also happened in UK. It came to a point where we lived in a stage of siege in our own country and that helped to turn things around and gained more commitment for  peace,” said Ahmad.

He said people they considered terrorists in the past now occupy  key government positions and  participate in the country’s development.

Great Britain has been working with the Philippines in the peace process since 2008, said Ahmad.

“We played a role in helping where it’s needed. We have been regularly attending all meetings of the government and the MILF (Moro Islamic Liberation Front) and we thought we were moving in the right  direction with the BBL (Bangsamoro Basic Law). What happened (in Mamasapano) was sad and the ongoing investigation should be able to shed some light on the incident,” he said.

He encouraged Filipinos to  read the BBL and make objective comments geared to achieving peace.

A UK in Miniature exhibit in SM City Cebu  will run until Sunday. Last night was the   screening of National Theatre Live: Frankenstein.

Ahmad delivered a  keynote speech at the UK Education Forum in the University of San Carlos and met with government officials and the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry to learn more about the business climate and commercial opportunities in Cebu.

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