Durano: Talima waterpark to boost tourism activities

CEBU, Philippines - Tourism activities in Cebu is expected to become more dynamic with the addition of a P30 million adventure and waterpark facility, said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano.

Islands Banca Cruise President and Chief Executive Officer Jay Aldeguer revealed Tuesday the opening next month of Talima Adventure and Waterpark located at Barangay Talima in Olanggo Island, which is a 10-minute pump boat ride from Mactan Island.

“This innovative product will enhance the tourist experience of Cebu. Cebu must continue to evolve as a destination in order to stay on top,” Durano said in an interview yesterday.

He noted that in the United States alone, adventure tourism is a US$450 million industry. The Philippines, which has ample sites that can be developed for this type of activity can generate good tourism revenue, while providing local residents, especially rural people to earn livelihood from tourism revenues.

The Islands Group of Companies, the operator of Islands Banca Cruise is investing P30 million for the creation of Cebu’s first water island-based water adventure park at Barangay Talima.

The project has three phases, every phase will incur the company at least P10 million investment.

The facility, which spans 1.5-hectare of land and water, will offer both land and water adventure activities from kayaking, rock climbing, “glamor camping,” among others.

A major attraction for the water adventure is the inflatable, which are US-certified for safety. It is ideal for use among children and adults.

“For Cebu to compete in both tourism and travel, we need to constantly develop new products and facilities. The Talima Adventure and Waterpark is, I believe, the only one of its kind in this part of the country,” Aldeguer told a press conference Tuesday.

The Talima Adventure Park will also support the company’s Islands Banca Cruises choices of offerings for island hopping packages.

Other than being an additional attraction for Cebu, Aldeguer highlighted that proceeds from the income generated will be apportioned specifically for the protection and preservation of the Talima Marine Sanctuary.

Olanggo Island, of which Barangay Talima is situated, is most popular for its bird sanctuary where over 100 bird species are found.

“We want people who come to not only appreciate the facility but to be more educated and proactive in preserving the country’s marine life. There will be educational tours that will be incorporated in the tour package,” said environmentalist Chai Agpale, The Islands Grouop executive officer for corporate social responsibility.

Barangay Talima, which has 168,000 square kilometers of land area has 5,677 residents as of the 2008 census, where fishing is its main livelihood.

Samson Buatag, Barangay Secretary of Talima said residents in the area voiced enthusiasm on the waterpark facility as it will help boost Olanggo Island’s marketability as an emerging tourism destination.