Monday, July 10, 2006
C. Mindanao set eyes on Bimp-Eaga tourism gab
By Bong S. Sarmiento
KORONADAL CITY -- Tourism officials is expected to make a pitch for Central Mindanao as a major tourism destination in Southeast Asia when the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysian and the Philippines-East Asia Growth Area (Bimp-Eaga) hold its meeting during the weekend.
Acting provincial tourism officer Cesar Sulit had confirmed last week that the 3rd Bimp-Eaga cluster meeting on joint tourism development will push through in this city on July 16 to 18.
"It was timed with our T'nalak festival to showcase to foreign dignitaries our rich cultural heritage," he said.
South Cotabato with celebrate 40th foundation anniversary on July 18.
Tourism ministers, government officials, travel and tour operators, hotel and resort owners, tourism councils and other tourism stake holders will attend the conference, Sulit said.
Apart from scenic Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, the other tourism spots in Central Mindanao region being promoted are the white sand beaches in Glan, Sarangani and the Mt. Apo Ecopark in Kidapawan City, North Cotabato.
It was decided during the 2nd Bimp-Eaga Cluster Meeting held at Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia in July last year that the Philippines will host this year's meeting.
Koronadal, General Santos, Tacurong, Kidapawan and Cotabato are the cities in Central Mindanao and its provinces are South Cotabato, Sarangani, Sultan Kudarat and North Cotabato.
Tourism Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab earlier expressed optimism that Central Mindanao region could become a major tourism drawer in the Bimp-Eaga cluster.
Palabyab noted the strategic location of Central Mindanao in the sub-regional growth corridor in attracting tourist arrivals to the area.
Citing an Asian Development Bank investigative study in 1996, Palabyab said that tourism is a "spearhead sector for regional cooperation and development in the Bimp-Eaga."
"It will stimulate growth in the area, result to economic changes and social improvements in the lives of the people in the sub-region," he added.
Bimp-Eaga was launched in Davao City in 1996, with a vision that "official agencies and business sectors of the member countries would interact in a virtual borderless trading area and growth zone that would link and expand their economies with a minimum of formalities."
For Bisaya stories from General Santos.Click here. (This section is updated every Monday)
(July 10, 2006 issue)
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