Advance tourism industry in ARMM pushed

MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) in the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) conducted a forum last week to tackle multi-sectoral perspectives on how to advance the tourism industry in the region.

The discussions during the forum were premised on the “Path to Peace” with insights from security forces, legislators and tourism advocates in the ARMM.

DOT-Armm Secretary Nassreena Sampaco-Baddiri said while sustainable community-based tourism generates economic benefits, partnership with the security sector is also a must, given that peace and tourism development works alongside.

For his part, Colonel Daniel Lucero of the 103rd Infantry Brigade based in Kampo Ranao here, highlighted synergy as the key to converge everyone in achieving regional and national interest.

People and community-based planning with support from locals constitute an effective framework for a responsive tourism plan, he said.

Believing that tourism has rippling effect, Maguindanao First District Representative Bai Sandra Sema also avowed further tourism promotion of historical landmarks.

She also said to be a tourism champion one has to believe on the tourism potentials of the region.

Assemblywoman Samira Gutoc-Tomawis, on the other hand, challenged participants to be proactive tourism advocates and urged them to access all possible measures to promote ARMM.

The tourism industry is the 21st century income earner and sustainable eco-tourism of the ARMM must be campaigned even in our daily routine, she said. (BPI-ARMM/PIA-X/PR)