For a while, the municipality of Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur has been positioned as an ecotourism destination because of it’s natural resources and the outdoors. Now, it wants to widen its economic viability by introducing industrial tourism to boost not only tourism but investment in the area.
“We would like to introduce industrial tourism considering that we are the only municipality nga daghan kaayo ug industrial plants,” said Julius Paner, tourism officer of Sta. Cruz during PEP Talks media forum at SM Lanang Premier on Tuesday.
The municipality is host to several industrial plants that include Coca-Cola Philippines Beverages Inc., Aboitiz Power (hydro power and coal plant), San Miguel Brewery (SMB), Franklin Baker Company of the Philippines (FBCOP), and San Miguel Foods Inc-BMEG Sta. Cruz Feed Mill.
Paner said there are already three industries that confirmed to open their doors to visitors and tourists for educational purposes.
Aside from that, Paner said the municipality is also strengthening its ecotourism program for various tourism and sports activities such as mountain biking, trail running, camping, mountaineering, water tubing and many more.
The municipality will showcase all of it’s resources and tourism programs in the upcoming weeklong celebration of the 138th Araw ng Sta. Cruz, which will commenced on September 30, 2022 until October 5, 2022.
“This time we will have a unique celebration. Among the highlights is the Sta. Cruz Tourism and Agri-trade Exhibit, which will open on Friday. This is a showcase of everything that Sta. Cruz has to offer in terms of agricultural products, pre-industrial, and tourism program to be participated by different barangays through friendly competitions,” Paner said
There will be a grand parade on Oct. 5 within the thoroughfares that is expected to be participated by all sectors.
