THE appointment of former San Juan, Abra mayor Marco Bautista as Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism (DOT) is expected to give new hope for the industry in the province.
DOT–Cordillera director Venus Tan said he will discuss what could be best with the new Undersecretary and will build strengths.
Tan said a careful assessment of tourism plans and potentials must be done and not rely on tourism promises which may not be fulfilled.
Tan said the moniker “Amazing Abra” initiative by Abra lawmaker Joseph Bernos wll be discussed.
“We need a positioning statement. Amazing does not convey a positioning message, the word has been used many times, it may sow confusion. And people might expect an amazing synonymous to a Thailand campaign! The what’s has to be answered. And the why’s must be satisfied,” added Tan.
Under Bernos’ campaign, infrastructure projects will pour for tourism spots with at least P30 million for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the road leading to the Kaparkan waterfalls in Tineg, another P30 million for the development of the road leading to the Kiling waterfalls in Tubo, and some P50 million for the improvement of the road leading to the Bani hot springs in Boliney town.
The “#ABRAmazing” initiative by Bernos is gearing for big things for the province’s tourism in 2018, hoping to make a good turn-around from its former image because of its violent past.
The Abra Pasalubong Center near the famous Tangadan Tunnel in San Quintin town, a project Bernos initiated in 2016, is ready to welcome local and foreign tourists seeking local ecological adventures.
The Cordillera Regional Development Council has recommended the inclusion of the province’s priority road projects to the various agencies responsible for the implementation of convergence projects, particularly the development of tourism roads under the DPWH and DOT convergence, among others.
By the end of 2017, Abra rolled out its comprehensive tourism master development plan that incorporates all the potential tourist spots in the 27 towns through the conduct of the necessary consultations with the stakeholders, to avoid commercialization of tourist spots and gear towards a sustainable tourism development program.