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Saturday, April 22, 2006
Group launches project on rural tourism dev’t
A group of industry players launched yesterday Turismo Rural Foundation to bring the country’s tourism to a global level and promote entrepreneurship in the countryside.
Almont Holdings president and chief executive officer Julie Alegrado-Vergara, who initiated the creation of the foundation, said Turismo Rural will promote community-based tourism.
Almont Holdings Inc. owns Sumilon Bluewater Island Resort, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, Almont Hotel’s Inland Resort and Almont Hotel in Butuan City.
Tourist facilities
The foundation aims to promote entrepreneurship through tourism by establishing Casa Rural, a concept that will convert unused or unoccupied ancestral or vacation homes into standardized lodging and dining facilities for tourists.
The concept will answer the need for more hotel rooms to accommodate tourists and to provide cultural, rural experience for foreigners and local urban families.
“Find hope in your towns and be ambassadors of your own local culture,” she said during the forum at Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort.
Rural communities lack appropriate tourist services and facilities like lodging, dining amenities and shops, a statement from the foundation said.
“Given their historical value and exceptional cultural heritage, they are unable to tap into their tourism potential because they are not equipped with the means or knowledge to start an organized tourism industry,” it added.
Vergara said the foundation will encourage owners of homes to affiliate and be accredited with the foundation.
“We will give trainings and accreditation to homes that will qualify. Argao is the pilot area because it has ancestral houses and tourism is already promoted in the area,” she said.
Nationwide
The concept will soon be introduced and promoted nationwide, she added.
“This bed and breakfast concept is not new in Europe and is now even introduced in Taiwan,” she noted.
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said during the launch that Turismo Rural complements “Suroy-Suroy Sa Sugbo,” a program of the private sector-led and the Provincial Government that showcases the towns of the province.
She said Cebu’s treasure is not just found in the city but also in other parts of the province, where heritage, culture, beaches and other natural attractions abound. (ALC)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (April 22, 2006 issue)
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