Thursday, November 08, 2007 DavOr holds forum on tourism development By Ben O. Tesiorna
THE Provincial Government of Davao Oriental held a one-day stakeholders' forum on tourism development at the capital City of Mati on Wednesday.
With the theme "One Smile, One Heart, One Mind for Davao Oriental," organizers aim to craft a comprehensive tourism program for the province that will be based on the result of the forum.
Governor Corazaon Malanyaon said she wants Davao Oriental to be included in the country's tourism map.
"There is a need for us not to start developing our tourism industry considering we have a lot of potentials. So this event is our way of declaring to the people that the government is seriously considering developing tourism and hopes to organize the Davao Oriental Provincial Council at the end of the day," Malanyaon said
Vice Governor Mayo Almario said the forum also serves as an "awakening activity for the people to know that we have what it takes."
The province has identified 79 tourist attractions, it was learned. Officials admitted though that despite the myriad attractions they still lack infrastructures like hotels and other amenities.
Almario said they are however complementing the lack of infrastructure with the help of the local community. Like in San Isidro, where no hotels are available, local residents are tapped to improve their houses and accommodate tourists.
"We have bed and breakfast facility as an alternative to hotels," Almario said.
Malanyaon said this way they are able to package Davao Oriental as a unique tourist attraction unlike those in other areas.
"What we want to sell to the people is the uniqueness of the province, the novelty of the place. That there's so much nature, adventure, and culture that one would enjoy," she said.
Even the mining sites in the province, Malanyaon said, could be tapped as another tourist attraction to show to the people that tourism and mining are not in contrast with each other but could rather go together in the development of the province.
The forum held at the Provincial Board session hall was well attended by stakeholders coming from the hotel, restaurant, travel, media and government organizations.
Resource speakers were Paul So of the AusAid and Action Holidays Tour Corporation; Sebastian Angliongto of the Mindanao Business Council; Yvette Lee of the Anilao Outrigger; photographer Rhonson Ng; writer Jojie Alcantara; Teolulo Pasawa of the National Economic Research and Business Assistance Center; Sonia Garcia of the Department of Tourism; restaurant owners Theresa and Claude le Neindre; Regional Development Council chair for tourism Alma Uy; and Roche Angon of the USAID's Growth Equity for Mindanao.
