ShareThisCEBU CITY – A senior official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) has said the government wants to replicate the success of Mactan Island and Boracay in tourism to the provinces in Samar, Bicol and Surigao.
Trade Undersecretary Cristino Panlilio called the tourism activities in the two islands “phenomenal”, saying both islands have first class resorts and have provided employment opportunities for the locals and nearby provinces in Aklan and Antique.
Tourism is one of six main industries that the government is focused on to reduce poverty and an industry that can generate many jobs for a variety of skills. The others are in mining, business process outsourcing and information technology (BPO-IT), electronics, housing, mining and agribusiness.
He pointed out that of the six, four are focused on developing the countryside.
Panlilio said that by focusing on the countryside, it will be easier to solve poverty issues by bringing development to them.
Local tourism players are also doing their best to introduce tour packages in the countryside.
Cecille Saa of Blue Horizons said they are offering a tour of a “house close to nature.” The two-hour tour will feature the house of former Cebu City councilor Nestor Archival where visitors will be introduced to organic farming.
The house itself also promotes green living as most of its materials are made from recycled products.
Another destination is a botanical garden at the Cantipla ridge where trekkers can see flower farms in the mountain barangays of Cebu.
They are also studying the inclusion of the Adventure Café in Balamban which features a zip line for adventure enthusiasts.
Jenny Franco of National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Cebu said they are currently pushing for community-based tourism.
She cited the tour of Aloguinsan in the Midwest of Cebu, which started out as a sixth class municipality.
After the town started the Bojo river tour, it is aiming to be a second or first class municipality next year.
Franco said they helped the local government of Aloguinsan to organize the community and let the locals claim ownership of the environment and protect and preserve their culture.
Aside from the river cruise, they also feature The Farmhouse, which showcases the local cuisine of the town using all organic food.