Monday, June 04, 2007 Tourist arrivals in Sarangani reach 270T
THE provincial information office reported that tourist arrivals in Sarangani Province reached 270,222 last year, almost double the figure posted on 2005.
Reelected Sarangani Governor Miguel Rene Dominguez attributed the heightened interest of tourists in the province's natural spots and the promotion blitz they are doing.
He said the 14-year-old province, composed of six coastal municipalities and one land-locked town, has become the premier tourist destination in Central Mindanao.
"We have everything. We have the beaches, rivers. We have the very beautiful and hospitable people of Sarangani Province, which are very important assets in tourism industry," Dominguez said.
Provincial Tourism office records show Isla Parilla, a resort where conventions can be held in the capital town of Alabel, topped the list with 107,482 tourists and excursionists in 2006.
The resort, which has a swimming pool and native cottages floating on the water sourced from the Sarangani Bay, also offers fishing adventure and fine dining.
The white-water tubing adventure resort in New La Union, Maitum registered 11,000 guests. White sand beaches in Gumasa, Glan town and other destinations accounted for the rest of tourist arrivals.
Dominguez said they continue pushing for mileage in publicity, jobs in the private sector and to take advantage of those opportunities for businesses to prosper. He compared the province to "Bohol 10 to 15 years ago and even Boracay 20 years ago."
Dominguez gave predictions that in two to four years, there would be partnerships between foreign and local investors.
In the past three years, the provincial government rebuilt roads in New La Union in Maitum town and trained river guides with proper equipment. "Now it has become a product," the governor said. "The product is called the river tubing adventure."(BSS)
