KEY players of the tourism industry are putting emphasis on programs that would inveigle local tourists to visit destinations within the country, most especially Mindanao.
This was bared by Dindo Ilagan, chairman of the Mindanao Tourism Council (MinTC), during last Monday’s Kapehan sa Dabaw at SM City Davao.
Also, getting the cue from foreign and domestic tourists’s preference for something new and different, Ilagan said the industry players are resolved to fast-track the completion of new destinations and the formulation of new packages that will bring the tourists from south to west of must-see attractions in various parts of Mindanao.
According to Ilagan, who manages Gloria de Dapitan Fantasyland, a theme park like Laguna’s Enchanted Kingdom in Dapitan City, the industry is “short of new destinations” because most visitors are looking for something new and adventurous rather than the usual package of white sand beaches and diving sites that operators usually offer.
With Davao-based tourism reporters and photographers in tow, MinTC officers just concluded a walk of the Mindanao package that they are conceptualizing. Ilagan reported they noticed some hitches especially in the waiting time at Mukas Port where it takes too long for the travelers to wait before being able to proceed to their destination.
Ilagan said the MinTC will be coming up with a resolution and talk to the Philippine Ports Authority if PPA can provide fast lanes for tourist vans and buses.
He said tourists have a schedule to follow so that delays would cause inconvenience and discourage them from completing the whole package as well deprive them of visiting the destinations that they have chosen because of time constraints.
Lack of signages is also another issue though he said that during the last Mindanao Tourism Summit in Davao City this was of the recommendations that the MinTC submitted to the Department of Tourism.
He said the DOT is now working on the problem, and Secretary Ace Durano assured them of his support.
Ilagan also said that the package they are drawing up is also for the people in the island because they wanted the Mindanaoans to also see for themselves what the different places of Mindanao could offer to them.
He said best sites, new ones and unexplored destinations are aplenty in Mindanao, places worth exploring by Mindanawans themselves.
People in Western Mindanao could come to Southern Mindanao and try the long zipline and the white water rafting along the Cagayan de Oro River while those from the south could visit the other side of Mindanao and enjoy and explore among others the amusement park in Dapitan and other historical sites like the Rizal Shrine and also the Museum in Cagayan de Oro City along the way.
“Many are wanting a Safari Adventure and we have that in Bukidnon for real compared to some night safari abroad na gawa gawa lang. The Samal Island is also one good destination to visit,” he said.
Meanwhile Davao del Norte Provincial Tourism Council president Araceli Ayuste said with the familiarization tour that they had just conducted they will be offering to domestic tourists the “Mindanaoans Travel within Mindanao” package for a three days and two nights.
With Davao City as jump-off site, she said it is estimated that the package will cost P6, 000, including free transportation, accomodation in Dakak and six meals plus stopover in tourist sites like Seagull Mountain Resort, the Museum of Three Cultures, Macahambus Cave, MacArthur’s Marker, Gloria de Dapitan Fantasyland.
She said this is just among the packages that they have conceptualized as they will continue to work on other packages and try the other league during the International Surfing Cup in Siargao Island on October 24-26, 2009.
The other packages would be towards Sarangani, South Cotabato, Camiguin, Marawi City and Zamboanga City.
On the other hand Ilagan said the MinTC will present project proposals to select fundin agencies to help the council undertake various flagship programs such as establishment of its office in Davao City, equipment acquisition, construction of tourist assistance centers and instituional linkages among tourism-related industries.
The MinTC was organized in response to call for an action-oriented and collaborative convergencen among key private players to work together with the government sector. [Prix D. Banzon]
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