Regional travel is an eye-opening experience. An airport is a microcosm of a country, its people and systems.
It reveals facets about a city: infrastructure, technological capacity, communications facilities.The business traveler and tourist want to know how people and things work.
The radar systems, ground communications, and transport vehicles reflect a country's level of competence and efficiency. Does the airport have sufficient parking facilities? Are planes parked at individual bays or gates?
An airport acquires a distinct character when it has tasteful ethnic touches and the enhancing presence of lush foliage. The interior design -- furnishings, aisles and passageways, lighting and air conditioning, bathroom amenities are all critical components of first impressions. Security scanners, electronic information boards, signage, trolleys, paging systems, porters, wheelchairs, ramps, lifts, for the disabled and the elderly are essential in a well-equipped airport.
The attitude and manners of the immigration, security, customs officers give us clues about the character of the local people. Are they competent, courteous, efficient, or arrogant and condescending? How do they treat visitors?
Luggage retrieval at the carousel, customs clearance, and waiting areas are frequent trouble spots.
At curb side, many predatory taxi and limousine drivers await unsuspecting tourists. Instead of taking a tourist directly to his hotel, the opportunistic driver takes him on a city tour or a longer route at a much higher rate (without the meter). There have been incidents of conniving drivers and holdup gangs.
Traveling on the highway, one is treated to a revue of sights and sounds of rural, suburban, and urban life. Traffic-free highways and expressways are the ideal. In some cities, one gets stuck in traffic-choked streets.
The trade and tourism industries are aggressively developing packages to attract investors and tourists. However, all elaborate plans would be futile if our country lacks the basic infrastructure. Compared to our ASEAN neighbors, we lag behind.
Singapore ranks first with its sleek, efficient, smoke-free, and environment-friendly airport. Changi is huge, well-managed, and can accommodate thousands of travelers within a day. Moving walkways, wide-open spaces with skid-free ramps and trolleys. Smokers are confined in glass rooms. Pocket oases with trees, ponds, and orchids abound. Duty-free shops are well organized.
Travelers with wheelchairs are given preferential treatment. Immigration is a breeze. You zip through in no time. Luggage is revolving on the carousel as you arrive there. Stress-free. Hassle-free.
Outside the terminal, taxis and limousines are queued up. Drivers whisk passengers without fuss. No hangers on and con men preying on tourists. Traffic is smooth even during rush hours. The highway to the city center is lined with magnificent acacia trees and palm trees reminiscent of Hawaii.
The departure area is smoke-free. Immigration officers are neat, polite (but not friendly). The airport staff and crew are disciplined.
Waiting lounges are very comfortable and clean. Bathrooms are fresh and spotless. Smokers are confined in glass rooms where they can choke in peace.
Our old NAIA terminal is an aging dinosaur. Imagine the shock of tourists who arrive for the first time, see the vintage runway, and walk through the shabby, decrepit, gloomy building. The restrooms are so depressing -- smelly, leaky and rundown with non-functioning faucets and door locks.
On the plus side: We have friendly, hospitable staff. However, it is shocking to discover that many of the staff -- security, in particular -- are underpaid.
The old domestic terminal is hopeless. It should be torn down and replaced with a sleek, efficient, and comfortable building. So far, its only redeeming asset is the newly refurbished, clean restrooms.
In contrast, the PAL terminal is well designed -- modern, bright, spacious, airy and pleasant for both international and domestic travelers.
On the wish list are: resolution of the problems of Terminal III so it can be finally fully utilized; upgrading of all provincial and island airport terminals; that Baguio's Loakan airport will reopen.
We still have a long way to go to keep up with high international standards. Trying to match the superior airports of some of our ASEAN neighbors is a herculean task that takes vision, planning, and the will to do things right.
From Business World Online
