THE Provincial Government of Negros Oriental has endorsed the professionalization of snorkeling guides to boost tourist influx in the world renowned diving site in Apo Island, Dauin.
Senior Tourism Operations Officer Myla Mae Bromo-Abellana of the Provincial Tourism Unit (PTU) said the development of tourism in the province has been in the forefront of Governor Roel Ragay Degamo’s attempt to strengthen socio-economic benefits in the countryside.
Degamo believes that tourism can provide livelihood opportunities to the people, said Bromo-Abellana.
In response to this challenge, the PTU has lined up several project proposals to the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Visayas to upgrade the services and businesses of the various tourism-related enterprises province-wide.
Foremost of the project proposal is the Snorkeling Guides Training in Apo Island on August 22 to 28 in Apo Island, Dauin, Negros Oriental.
Abellana said the training will be conducted with the support of the DOT-Office of the Industry Manpower and Development in Central Visayas.
The training “aims to equip the participants the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to assist, facilitate and guide tourists visiting the different snorkeling sites in the island,” Abellana said.
She added that it also targets to professionalize the guiding methods and practices used by the local community so as to deliver a better and quality service to tourists.
The seven-day training will be attended by 30 members of the Apo Island Snorkeling Equipment Rentals and Guiding Association.
The trainees are required to have the ability to read, speak, and write in English or Tagalog.
The training is also being coordinated with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources through its Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office’s Apo Island Protected Landscape/Seascape Unit and the local government unit of Dauin. (PIA)