Focus on domestic tourism

Despite the SARS scare (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome), Boracay is still crowded by tourists, many of them foreigners.

"It’s almost impossible to get hotel bookings now for the Holy Week," complained Noring Tonogbanua, secretary of the Bacolod Capitol Lions Club.

One reason for the congestion, especially just before the Holy Week, is that many vacationers had decided to visit provincial and local tourist sites instead of traveling abroad.

Tourism Regional Director Edwin Trompeta said SARS has led to a domestic tourism boom, the scare casting around for domestic destinations.

This reportedly increased to as much as 30 percent in passengers among the country’s leading airlines – Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and Asian Spirit.

"The vacationers are now shunning Hongkong, Singapore and other nearby destinations for trips to the provinces. The anchor vacation destinations are Boracay, Bohol and Palawan. Other areas are also promoted to lure vacationers and local tourists," Trompeta added.

Western Visayas is prlmoting adventure and countryside tours aside from heritage tours.

These include spelunking and cave visits in Guimaras Province, and the various beach resorts of Negros Occidental.

In Iloilo, especially the South, there are many interesting places. Among these are the Miagao Church, and the beaches of the First District. There are also adventure tours in Dumangas, San Enrique, and Dingle towns.

In Negros Occidental, the provincial government launched a soft-opening of the newly renovated Mambukal Summer Resort. Actually, Mambukal is a townsite. It was declared as such in a Commonwealth Act under the late President Manuel L. Quezon. The governor is also the mayor of the townsite.

Enchanting sights

Actually, Mambukal enjoys a long-time reputation as the once favorite destination of many Negrenses. It is an inland tourism spot. Nestled more than 12,00 meters above sea level at the foot of the Mt. Canlaon Volcano, it boasts a refreshing ambience with trees all around.

Its most thrilling sight is the hanging bridge 40 feet above the ground. The bridge is shielded by a canopoy of century old trees. Then there is also the 15-foot high slide for life.

Then, one may take a sedate boat ride at the blue lagoon at the center of the resort.

Mambukal is only 35 minutes ride from downtown Bacolod. It is a 23-hectare resort surrounded by a jungle of tropical and semi-tropical trees, pines, flowering plants and shrubs. It also boasts 400 species of ferns.

There is abundant water that cascades everywhere, brooks, streams and one hears the gurgling of these waters going downstream into the Asia River.

The proud boasts of Mambukal are the seven waterfalls that flows into the lagoon at the center and, ultimately, down to the Asia River below.

Mambukal also has sulfur springs and mud pools. These are supposed to be medicinal.

Among the attractions put up by Estela D. Lopez is a 145 meter canopy walk through Mambukal’s century old trees. It is supposedly made up of aircraft cable and fiberglass.

There is also a 1.6 kilometer trail that enables one to climb up the first waterfall of Mambukal.

There is also the renovated swimming pool and a therapeutic warm dipping pool.

The fabled summer resort will be opened fully by May, according to Maranon. He said the provincial government had set aside P40 million for the resort’s renovation.

Former Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Maranon Jr., who had once transformed Mambucal into a major destination, hailed the project.

Other destinations

Negros Occidental, however, has also string of favorite spots. Among these are Buenos Aires of Bago City. Then, one has Guimtubdan in La Carlota City. The latter has recently attracted more young people from Bacolod.

Farther South, there are the beaches of Hinigaran. But visitors will be delighted by the many scenic spots in Cauayan, Sipalay, and Hinobaan in the Deep South.

Gerry Ledesma"s Dungojan Island in Cauayan has gained the reputation as a Marine preserve. And then there is also the Bulata resort of former Provincial Board member Bomber Zayco.