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TOURISM CONVENTION – Over 400 stakeholders in the tourism industry from all over the country convened October 3 to 6 for the 8th National Convention of the Association of Tourism Offi cers of the Philippines, Inc. (ATOP) at the Cam. Sur Convention Center and Cam. Sur Watersports Complex (CWC) within the Provincial Capitol Complex of Camarines Sur. Shown above are some of the resource speakers: (from left) DOT Undersecretary Edgar Palabyab, Mandaluyong City Mayor and League of Cities of the Philippines President Benjamin DC. Abalos, Jr., fi lm director and USLS artist in residence Maurice “Peque” Gallaga and DOT Region V Director Maria Ong-Ravanilla. (GBC/JCASTRO-MMEC) |
The Department of Tourism cited Camarines Sur as a model local government unit in the thrust to develop tourism as a major national industry.
This was the assessment made by DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offi ces Oscar P. Palabyab before some 400 participants and guests at the opening ceremonies of the 8th National Convention of the Association the Philippines (ATOP) Wednesday evening, October 3 at the Camarines Sur Convention Center as he lauded initiatives launched by Governor LRay Villafuerte as largely responsible for the 27% jump in the growth of tourism in Bicol Region.
Camarines Sur with its Watersports Complex at the Capitol grounds has lately emerged as the leading destination in the Bikol Region along with the fabulous Mayon Volcano in Albay as the primary tourism attractions in this part of Luzon in terms of arrivals.
Largely due to local initiatives, overall tourism growth has likewise reflected commendable growth, and if all local government with tourism potentials would follow the lead of Camarines Sur and more so if local efforts are organized as the ATOP, tourism income can exceed revenues from remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), Palabyab said.
And this will be at much less social cost like broken families, children getting addicted to drugs and Filipino nationals getting abused abroad or even coming home in a box, Usec. Palabyab who came as guest speaker in lieu of Sec. Joseph Ace Durano who was abroad, added.
On the other hand, DOT Regional Director Maria Ong Ravanilla said the convention was very significant since it brought together tourism stakeholders throughout the country to plan together synchronized tourism thrusts.
One positive note that would boost tourism development in the country was the assurance of opening day keynote speaker Mandaluyong Mayor Benjamin DC.
Abalos, Jr. that the League of Cities of the Philippines (LCP) of which he is president, supports House Bill 202 filed by Cong. Edgar Chatto of Bohol.
House Bill 202 seeks the creation of tourism officer position in all first class municipalities and cities in the country or municipalities and cities where tourism is considered a major local industry.
Mayor Abalos was equally effusive with his appreciation of Camarines Sur’s leadership in the tourism thrusts in Bicol Region that translated last year into over 200,000 tourist arrivals in the province bringing in P100 Million or close to half of the entire tourism revenues in the region.
