THE reshuffling of the tourism regional directors to other regions and other sectors of the Department of Tourism (DOT) will affect the smooth enforcement of earlier planned tourism-related programs, said a tourism association based in Davao.

In a statement released by the Guides Union of Inbound Destination and Eco-tourism (Guide Davao), they expressed concern over the order signed by Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo which assigns Tourism Davao Regional Director Robby Alabado III to head Medical Tourism as well as 25 other regional directors.

“The recent development of reshuffling the tourism regional directors by the Office of the Department of Tourism has created a dilemma among local stakeholders with regards to the programs that were already created. There are reservations as to how those programs that were painstakingly planned and organized under the guidance and encouragement of the past regional directors will be implemented by the current appointees,” said Guide Davao’s official statement.

The group aired their concern over how tourism plans would effectively and smoothly be implemented as the new regional director was not involved in the planning stage while he/she also learning the nuances of Davao tourism.

Earlier City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Generose Tecson shared a similar view emphasizing that Alabado already knows the city well. Like Tecson, Guide Davao appeals to secretary Teo to reconsider the reassignment of Alabado.

Other tourism-related organizations said they will show support to the new regional director as long as the tourism growth of the region continues to flourish and their plans are also supported.

As per the order signed by Teo on January 4 and which is effective immediately, Antonio Fernando Blanco will be the new Tourism Regional Director of Davao. Blanco is the former regional director of DOT-Zamboanga Peninsula.