DAVAO DEL NORTE -- The Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) of Davao del Norte started a tourism caravan to refresh local officials and executives on the tourism potential of their place and highlight the benefits that the industry brings to their local economy.
Provincial tourism officer Noel Daquioag said his office brought the tourism road show to the three component cities and eight municipalities of the province in order to win the approval of the mayors, department heads, vice-mayors, Sangguniang Panlungsod/Bayan members to fully support the development of the tourism industry in their respective areas.
According to him, Governor Rodolfo del Rosario has backed the Aquino government's policy for tourism as a key driver towards achieving rapid, inclusive growth.
Such that the PTO anchored their plans and programs in the three strategic directions of the National Tourism Development Plan.
These included the development of market competitive products and destinations; improvement of market access, connectivity, and destination infrastructure; and, institutionalization of governance and human resources.
"Our goal is to cascade these strategic directions to the various local government units to achieve comprehensive tourism development in the province," Daquioag said.
The caravan started with a briefing on the definition, elements, forms and types of tourism before discussing the tourism menu apt for the province.
With the brand offering "From Island to Highland," Davao del Norte is touted as Davao Region's Agriculture, Culture and Ecology (ACE) tourism destination.
The city of Panabo, and the municipalities of Carmen, B.E. Dujali and Sto. Tomas are considered an educational tourism destination because of their best practices.
Panabo City is well-known for its mariculture park, while Carmen is being celebrated for the historic Battle of Ising which was one of the most decisive campaign against the Japanese Imperial Army during World War II.
The town of B.E. Dujali is recognized for its organic farming and Sto. Tomas has been a favorite study tour destination for its multi-awarded solid-waste management program being showcased in their Solid Waste and Ecological Park.
Adventure tourism destinations also include the towns of New Corella, Asuncion, Kapalong and San Isidro because of their unique caves, enchanting waterfalls, and the fascinating Madgao river.
The presence of a cultural village of the Ata-Manobos further qualifies Talaingod as a cultural tourism area.
Because of its fourteen festivals in a year, Tagum City has been ballyhooed as a Mice (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, & Exhibitions) destination.
Apparently, the Island Garden City of Samal is a Sun and Beach destination since it is endowed with white sand beaches.
"If all our local government units would come up with their own tourism codes, revive their tourism councils, advocate tourism programs in harmony with the provincial strategic directions, I think we will end up as the best tourism-oriented LGU in the provincial level," Daquioag said.