Independent tourism office eyed

MAYOR Mauricio Domogan is fully confident that Baguio City Tourism Office led by Benny Alhambra can ably handle matters within their concern, though he envisions an independent tourism department in coordination with the Baguio Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Department of Tourism (DOT-CAR).

“We support the creation of a tourism department, but it is not that easy, since there is a limit on our budgetary requirements for personnel,” the mayor said. The Information Technology department has earlier aired intentions to be an independent office, but was rebuffed with the same funding limitation.

The remarks came in the heels of reports that Baguio City tourism rate has dropped.

“The city is a tourism haven and income to the city’s coffers from said sector could not be ignored,” the mayor said.

Tourists, even locals nowadays have choices which place to visit, thus we have to be competitive, Domogan said.

“It would be a friendly competition however, as we have to support, cooperate and partner with other interesting places to see around the country, he added. We can share learning with them, too,” he added.

We endeavor to strengthen trade in the city and maintain its mark of being the Educational Center of the North, Domogan added. (Julie Fianza)