SAYING he is tired of traveling, Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim quit his post to be with his family.

Lim confirmed that he has submitted his resignation letter to President Benigno  Aquino. Lim told a press conference in Malacañang that he was tired of all the travelling and sometimes lost track of his whereabouts.

His resignation takes effect on Aug 31.

“I would like to announce I have tendered my resignation as Tourism secretary and head of its attached agencies. The President has accepted my resignation,” he said.

“I leave gratified that I have laid the foundation for a strong tourism growth in keeping with the President’s vision,” Lim said.”I thank the President for the opportunity given to me to serve the Filipino people. I have undiminished hope that the President will realize his vision,” he added.

Presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said Aquino has yet to come up with a replacement for Lim who served for 13 months.

Lacierda praised the DoT for the half-a-million increase in foreign visitors in the last 12 months.

Tourist arrivals rose 19.5 percent to 3.4 million last year, after the 2009 global recession resulted in declines in many countries including the Philippines.

Arrivals rose 12 percent in the first 5 months of this year.

He added that Lim was the chief advocate of the Pocket Open Skies Policy which he said is the landmark breakthrough from the protectionist policies of the past.

“All these are remarkable achievements. He has been a conscientious and highly dedicated member of the President’s official family,” Lacierda said.

“We wish Mr. Lim every continued success, as he returns to private life, to enjoy more time with his family,” he said.

Lim is the second Cabinet official to quit. First to go wasTransportation and Communication Secretary Jose “Ping” De Jesus in June.