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Camarines
Sur Watersports Complex |
The
Department of Tourism lauded Camarines Sur as a model local
government unit in the thrust to develop tourism as a major
national industry.
This
was the very complimentary assessment made by DOT undersecretary
for tourism services and regional offices Oscar P. Palabyab
before some 400 participants and guests at the opening ceremonies
of the 8th National Convention of the Association the Philippines
(ATOP) Wednesday evening, October 3 at the Camarines Sur
Convention Center, crediting the tourism development initiatives
launched by Governor LRay Villafuerte as largely responsible
for the dramatic 27% jump in the growth of tourism in Bicol
Region.
Camarines
Sur with its internationally acknowledged Camarines Sur
Watersports Complex at the forefront has lately emerged
as the leading destination in the Bikol Region, dislodging
the province of Albay with its fabulous Mayon Volcano as
the primary tourism attraction in this part of Luzon in
terms of arrivals.
Largely
due to local initiatives, overall tourism growth has likewise
reflected commendable growth, and if all local government
with tourism potentials would follow the lead of Camarines
Sur and more so if local efforts are organized as the ATOP
presently headed by national president Jennylind Demerre-Cordero
of Negros Occidental is striving to realize, tourism can
very easily overtake foreign currency revenues from remittances
of overseas Filipinos workers (OFWs), Palabyab said.
And
this will be at much less social cost like broken families,
children getting addicted to drugs and Filipino nationals
getting abused abroad or even coming home in a box, Usec.
Palabyab who came as guest speaker in lieu of Sec. Ace Durano
who is abroad, added.
One
positive note that would boost tourism development in the
country was the explicit assurance of opening day keynote
speaker Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin DC. Abalos, Jr. that
the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) of which he
is president, as well as his wife Menchie who has the clout
of the recently organized League of Mayors’ Spouses
behind her, are fully supportive of House Bill 202 filed
by Cong. Edgar Chatto of Bohol.
Among
others, House Bill 202 seeks the creation of tourism officer
position in all first class municipalities and cities in
the country or municipalities and cities where tourism is
considered a major local industry.
LCP
will also work for the improvement of infrastructures like
roads and transportation and the adoption of a coherent
and comprehensive tourism plan that are essential elements
to the industry’s growth and development.
Mayor
Abalos was equally effusive with his appreciation of Camarines
Sur’s leadership in the tourism thrusts in Bicol Region
that translated last year into over 200,000 tourist arrivals
in the province accounting over P100 Million or close to
half of the entire tourism revenues in the region.
Second
day of the convention will feature the inputs of a battery
of expert resource speakers including Director Rene Romulo
de los Reyes of the DOT Bureau of International Tourism
Promotions who will expound on “Developing Cultural
Products in the Regions for Tourism Philippines, Negros
Navigation executive vice president Jose Manuel Mapa who
will talk on “Negros Navigation Ties the Knot with
Tourism Officers’, noted film director and USLS artist
in resident Maurice “Peque” Gallaga who will
tackle “The Business of Showbiz in Tourism”,
and DOT consultant on special projects and SBMA tourism
consultant Nilo Agustin who will orchestrate “Synthesis:
Turismo sa Negosyo, Unlad and Bayan Ko.” (GBClaveria)
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