CLARK, Pampanga – For the first time since its launch early this month, President Benigno S. Aquino III Tuesday finally rode the wave of the “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan to attract more tourists in the country.

Assuming his role as the country’s top salesman, the President proudly declared that aviation training, sightseeing, and investment opportunities are more fun in the Philippines.

The President mentioned the country’s “more fun” tourism slogan thrice in his speech during the groundbreaking rites of the $50-million Philippine Academy for Aviation Training (PAAT), operated by Cebu Pacific Air and the Canadian Aviation Electronics (CAE), at the Clark economic zone.

Using the “more fun” slogan, the President invited the Canadian partners of Cebu Pacific to enjoy the sights in the country. “I’d also like to welcome those from CAE to the Philippines. I hope that you’re not too busy with work to experience for yourselves just how much fun this country is,” he said.

“That’s repeated too often these days,” he added.

The President used the catchy tourism slogan again in hailing the construction of the training facility for pilots and other aviation personnel. “In the spirit of the campaign recently launched by our Department of Tourism: Soon we will be able to say that even aviation training is more fun in the Philippines,” he said.

Aquino said the simulation-based aviation training facility will train world-class pilots and effectively cement the nation’s position “as a hub for aviation training in the Asia-Pacific region.” The training center will start operations in the third quarter of 2012 and will train over 2,500 pilots annually and other aviation professionals.

The state-of-the-art training center will be developed in consultation with CAE’s training facilities design team. (See related story on Business Page)

The President also mentioned the tourism slogan when he pitched for the country as an investment haven due to skilled personnel and Filipino’s hospitality and light-heartedness. “It is, as we say, truly more fun in the Philippines,” he said.

“I hope I earned my pay from (Tourism) Secretary Mon Jimenez,” Aquino said in a jest.

To further boost tourism growth, the President underscored the government’s thrust of hastening reforms in the aviation industry, particularly seeking to regain Category 1 status under the US Federal Aviation Administration.

“A positive outcome will result in the expansion of our airlines’ capacities, which will redound to a healthier aviation industry, more mobility for our people, and ultimately, a more robust and equitably progressive economy,” he said.

The government’s efforts to liberalize the aviation have also resulted into very robust growth in both domestic and international air traffic, according to the President.

Relative to this, the President said that the Department of Tourism has hit the ground running in the implementation of the pocket open skies policy, citing it has presented “convincing arguments” for foreign airlines to include the Philippines in their Asian route expansion during a forum in Berlin.

“As Secretary Mon Jimenez has said, selling the Philippines should be as easy as selling Chickenjoy. We are aware of how gifted our country is—from our natural wonders to the inherently welcoming attitude of our people. Make no mistake about it: we plan on capitalizing on these competitive advantages. Each new job in the tourism industry takes on a multiplier effect, empowering our citizens’ financial capacity, allowing local businesses to thrive, and creating even more jobs for the rest of our countrymen,” he said.

Aquino said while it is true it’s more fun in the country, he was aware that achievements are built on hard work and excellence.

“Piloting an aircraft is not easy. But when we look back on the history of flight, or on the history of human discovery, we see enduring and undeniable proof that if we set our minds to it, and if we’re willing to work hard each and every day, then we can certainly achieve anything we set out to do,” he said.

In the remainder of his term, Aquino said he wants the country to progress in the same way the aviation industry has done. (With a report from Franco G. Regala)