LARENA, Siquijor – The country's tourism program will be further promoted effectively if government agen-cies work together with the common goal of attracting tourists to the country in 2012, according to Tourism Educators and Movers (TEAM) Philippines founding chairman Robert Lim Joseph, who spoke before a gathering of tourism key players here recently.

Joseph said the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), and other government line agencies should work hand-in-hand along with the Depart-ment of Tourism (DoT) to ensure that all tourism-related efforts will not be put to waste.

For instance, he said the DPWH should take a look at the condition of tourism roads around the country. Such roads referred to by Joseph are those that bring tourists from their hotels to tourist destinations.

The DILG, he added, can also compel local governments units to ensure proper disposal of garbage that are often found along the road.

“Roads are like veins, they connect straight to the destinations, like veins connect to the heart. Now our roads are so full of cholesterol," said Joseph, as he urged the government to pump prime infrastructure development and include more roads that lead to major tourist destinations.

Joseph echoed the sentiments of travel and tour operators who often receive comments from tourists re-garding the presence of dilapidated tricycles, heaps of garbage, and other eyesores along tourism roads around the country.

“Dirty and damage roads are major turn-offs and will leave negative impression on tourists,” said Joseph.

The local police should also take action in various complaints of tourists who fall victims to pickpocketing by street children. These nefarious activities, Joseph said, will prevent tourists from coming back and discourage tourists from coming in.