Samar towns urged to prepare tourist destinations

from: www.pinoyadventurista.com

CATBALOGAN CITY -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) has called on local government units (LGUs) in Samar to prepare their tourist attractions for development and promotion.

DOT Regional Executive Director Karina Tiopes said that if a town wants to be promoted by the national government, the local government should be prepared in terms of accessibility and tourism assets.

"We need to assess on what their tourism assets are. If it’s a waterfall, what makes it unique? Almost all towns have waterfalls. Tourists want a unique destination,” said Tiopes.

The official admitted that several towns has been questioning the DOT for not getting funds for local eco-tourism development. Tiopes explained that the regional office only gets a PHP9 million budget every year, which limits the DOT’s capability to assist all local government units.

Some local officials also failed to submit project proposals for tourism development, which is a basic requirement for funding support.

“The slow development of an eco-tourism is not always our fault. You need to help yourself. We will help, if you are willing to help yourselves,” Tiopes added.

In the past years, the tourism department has been financing capability trainings for tourist-ready destinations in Samar provice.

Among this is the training of snorkeling guides and reef ranges diving sites at Daraga Islet, Isla Pawikan, and Kinawan Reef in Calbayog City.

In addition, investment campaign will be launched to encourage tour guide operators to promote the site.

Samar province has more than 40 major tourist attractions composed of forests, reefs, waves, waterfalls, and beaches. (PNA)
FFC/SQM/REDNAXELA MAE ALCOBER