Dumaguete hosts: 10th Tourism Councils Assembly

Dumaguete City, aptly referred to as the land of Gentle People, recently hosted the l0th Annual Central Visayas Regional Assembly of Tourism Councils held at the Bethel Guest House.

The driven RTC chairperson Mariant Villegas proudly delivered a detailed report on various accomplished projects of the Province of Oriental Negros. Note worthy are the following:

1. Passed a Provincial Ordinance creating the Provincial Tourism Code (the first of its kind in the country), which provided for the establishment of the Provincial Tourism Governing Board.

2. Developed prime tourism destinations such as the Twin Lakes, Balinsasayao and Danao in Sibulan; Talisay Beach Park in Bacong; the Mabinay caves and assisted in the development of Balanan in Siaton.

3. Trained and organized Tourism Assistance Officers (TAO) to serve as tour guides and to man reception centers.

4. Organized the private tourism stakeholders that included transport operators, souvenir producers, spa and massage parlor operators, special events organizers, entertainment sector, food cart operators, etc. into the Federation of Oriental Negros Tourism Associations (FONTA) along with existing tourism-oriented organizations such as the Oriental Negros Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association (ONHHRA), the Negros Oriental Association of Travel Agencies (NOATA), and the tour guides and cave guides associations.

5. Published informative and colorful tourism brochures in six (6) languages: English, German, Russian, Mandarin, Korean, and Japanese.

6. Brought Yag-yag Festival contingent of Cangmating, Sibulan, to perform in the Philippine Pavilion of the World Expo in Nagoya, Japan in 2005 and participated in sales missions in three cities in Japan. The Tourism Council also joined the Visayas Mindanao Trade and Travel Fair in Cebu and Mandaluyong City.

7. Conducted Provincial Festival Street dance, Rondalla and Dancesport Workshops and hosted two major events, the National Collegiate Basketball Championship and the Island Flavors video and Island Caravan Tour Consortium in 2005.

Peter Dejaresco RTC VII PRO Bohol Province, introduced the Guest of Honor, the well respected, Governor George Arnaiz, Chairman of the Regional Development Council, RDC VII. In his brief yet heart warming speech, the Governor assured everyone present that all out support and effort will be given to ensure and sustain the continued positive growth of tourism arrivals, in particular in this part of the region.

The much-loved Regional Director of DOT VII Dawnie Roa for her part gave insights and updates on the promising Japanese market and the Departments relentless campaign in promoting positive awareness about the Philippines in Japan, which have resulted in significant increase in Japanese arrivals to the Philippines.

Tetta Baad, Vice President, Marketing and Sales of Cebu Holdings Inc, gave a profound talk on the importance of the Role of the Business Sector in the Growth of the Tourism Industry. The challenge lies in building, developing and strengthening the capacity and capability in tourism, in upgrading facilities, improving services and simply moving forward with clear focus and determination.

The well attended affair ended with a streetdance by the Hambabalud contingent, the National Champion in Wow Philippines, Festivals of Festivals in 2003. This was followed by a lively fellowship dinner at the Dumaguete Boulevard hosted by the city.