CATBALOGAN CITY – Promoting Samar’s tourism destinations was given prominence as the province celebrated its 174th founding anniversary on Thursday (August 11).
Governor Sharee Ann Tan said that the province has full potential to become a top tourist destination considering its various natural attractions.
But despite its naturally-endowed assets, its tourism industry has yet to fully take off.
Last year, the governor led the launching of “Spark Samar” tourism promotional campaign which aims to attract more tourists to the province.
Tourism Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes, who was the main guest during the occasion, exhorted not only the local officials but the even those in the community to help in promoting further Samar as a tourist destination by drawing up out-of-the-box promotional campaign.
“Tourists nowadays are looking for destinations that are raw, tourism products that are unique and experiences that are authentic. I believe that Samar offers all of these,” Tiopes said.
“To make tourism as the medium of narrowing the development, we all have to collaborate and synergize, you need to look beyond your territorial boundaries and compliment, converge new resources that are positive advantage with those of your neighboring towns, cities and provinces,” the tourism regional director added.
Aside from Tiopes, also among the guests was Brigadier General Cesar Ido, deputy commanding officer of the 8th Infantry Division.
Meantime, Gov.Tan said that they will focus in capacitating people’s organizations as part of their tourism promotion.
People’s organizations will no longer rely on tour guiding activities as their source of income but will also be trained in food preparation and souvenir- making that will give them more income, she said.
The governor added that they had also tied up with the 52nd Infantry Battalion based in Sta Rita town that produces organic vegetables and livestock as part of their tourism development promotion.
“We asked the battalion commander to help us in organic farming that will be served to tourists who will visit the province,” Tan said.
The provincial government will forge partnership with Department of Education and Payapa and Masaganang Pamayanan (Pamana) for the organic farming, she added.
(ROEL T. AMAZONA)
