WHITEWATER rafting remains the top tourism draw in Cagayan de Oro, a tourism official said.
Ave Gladys Gabucan, City Tourism Office head, said the tourists’ response to white water rafting remains favorable, pointing out that rafting activities in 2017 significantly increased compared to 2016.
But Chisum Factura, president of the Oro Rafters Association, refuted the tourism office's statistics, saying there has been a big drop in 2017 because of the Marawi crisis.
Factura said he hopes 2018 will be a good year for the rafting community despite the martial law extension.
"We are crossing our fingers that there will be no typhoons, crises that would happen in Mindanao," he said.
While it is thankful for the recognition of the city, Factura said the City Government would realize its plan to improve infrastructure and facilities of rafting outfitters.
"Every time there is a travel expo such as travel mart, CDO's showcase is always rafting. But when it comes to infra improvements, there's none. We have been asking for decent facilities at the rafting put-in where our guests can enjoy using it, such as toilets, briefing area and souvenir shops, but up to now, it is only a plan," he said.
Gabucan, meanwhile, said its office is set to craft a tourism master plan for 2018, which is expected to boost the tourism sites in the city.
The master plan will include an inventory of the city’s potential tourism sites, and create plan to eventually develop these identified sites.
One identified site is Sitio Palalan in Barangay Tablon which, Gabucan said, is a potential eco village destination.
“We will also improve farm tourism, push for Cagayan de Oro to be a culinary destination and historical walking tour is still very much alive, it is not difficult because the city is actually rich in terms of natural attractions, historical sites, and the culture here is rich. We intend to do all of these this year,” she said.
Gabucan said although martial law is still in effect, the tourism sector remains positive that it can recover the losses incurred last year at the height of Marawi crisis.
She said other than the decline of events and conventions in the city, the martial law effect was not as widely what they expected it to be.
Gabucan said the hotel occupancy rate is robust and investments continue to come in.