CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) has chosen Central Visayas as pilot area for its program on tourism planning and development in the country.
Presently, the DOT is conducting a capability building seminar at Montebello Villa Hotel in Cebu City for city and municipal tourism officers dubbed as “Seminar on Responsible Tourism in Central Visayas.”
The three-day seminar, which is participated by around 50 city and municipal tourism officers in Cebu, Bohol, Oriental and Siquijor, started last Thursday afternoon and will end today.
It is aimed at familiarizing tourism officers with the current situation of tourism in the world and to enlighten them on the significance of tourism planning and development.
DOT regional director Patria Aurora Roa said the event was the second to be conducted in her 16 years as DOT-7 director.
Roa said the seminar is expensive but there is a clamor from among the tourism officers in the region to stage such event.
Citing several achievements of Central Visayas, Roa said she also wants the tourism officers in the region to be the best in the country.
Three of the speakers are from Cebu and the rest are from Manila.
Board Member Agnes Magpale, chairman of the PB committee on tourism, said the seminar has long been planned.
Magpale said that amid the economic meltdown, it is important to enhance the responsiveness of the tourism officers to maintain the status of the region as the best in tourism development. — Gregg M. Rubio/LPM (THE FREEMAN)