Tourism exec leads symposium on investments

DEPARTMENT of Tourism (Dot) Regional Director Purificacion Molintas said tourism is not just for sightseeing but also for transportation, accommodation, leisure and entertainment, travel trade, attractions, food and beverage, amusements, and events.

Molintas discussed the situation, particularly tourism, in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) during the regional symposium on Property Data Banking for Tourism Investment.

She said tourism today has no political boundaries or jurisdiction. In fact, Baguio City and Banaue, Ifugao serve as the icons of Cordillera and are also part of tourism assets and destinations.

As presented in the diagram of tourism and hospitality sector, Molintas said one of the utmost examples is the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City during February.

She also said Baguio City has a good tourism whether in cultural, nature, leisure and entertainment, MICE and events, health and wellness, and retirement and education.

She said Dot is working on the idea for a shuttle service for tourists who wish to travel from Baguio to Banaue and vice versa. Baguio City is the most visited destination in the region.

Molintas added that there is a need to improve market access, connectivity and destination infrastructures wherein highways are being developed most especially airports where Clark is the target to be the biggest international airport in the Philippines.

She said CAR’s Top 5 destinations are Baguio City; Sagada, Mountain Province; Rice Terraces in Ifugao; Mt. Pulag in Kabayan, and Chico River in Kalinga. (Zia Querimit, CdD Intern)