Cagayan freeport: A growing tourism hub

MANILA, Philippines - The transformation of the Cagayan Special Economic Zone and Freeport (CSEZFP) into a vibrant, self-sustaining and fast-rising economic and tourism hub in the North has brought a steady increase in tourist arrivals over the past several years, from a mere 2,000 in 2006 to over 75,000 in 2012, as per information from the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 2 office.

DOT-Region 2 director Blessida Diwa has recognized the marvelous landscape and seascape of the CSEZFP (also referred to as the Cagayan Freeport) and has always been supportive of the efforts of the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) to promote the area.

The beauty of the place has been further validated by CEZA administrator and chief executive officer Jose Mari Ponce who said that the place is blessed with unique, unspoiled natural wonders, including white sand beaches, virgin forests, a protected marine landscape and seascape on Palaui Island, ecologically rich and diverse mangrove areas, bountiful flora and fauna, a dolphin and whale habitat, and even a century-old Spanish lighthouse overlooking a hidden cove.

The area has been transformed into an economically viable investment destination with world-class facilities and a tourism haven, thanks to CEZA’s efforts.

“Before we came into the picture, the municipality of Santa Ana was a fifth-class agricultural and fishing town with little in the way of development, with a mere couple of hundreds of tourist arrivals per year and very limited employment opportunities. Today, it has been upgraded to a second-class municipality and soon to be first-class municipality, with 18 hotel resorts, a growing commercial and entrepreneurial sector, and with a very promising tourism industry,” Ponce said in his speech during the 17th Lakbay Pilipinas event organized by the Philippine Travel Agencies Association (PTAA) held recently at Sofitel Philippine Plaza.

CEZA is a government-owned and -controlled corporation tasked with managing and developing the 54,000-hectare Cagayan Freeport, which covers the entire town of Santa Ana as well as the islands of Fuga, Barit and Mabbag in Aparri town.

In recent years, CEZA has earned the credence of various agencies, including the DOT and PTAA, with its positive performance in terms of investment, tourism and economic growth in the region.

PTAA president John Paul Cabalza confirmed that it is in the same recognition that Ponce was invited by PTAA as a guest of honor and speaker during the 17th Lakbay Pilipinas event.

CEZA has embarked on an aggressive marketing and promotion campaign in the Philippines and abroad, joining several conferences and travel expos to showcase the beauty and potential of the area.

“We have also officially committed to the PTAA by becoming a registered member in order to tap PTAA’s experience in tourism development and its wide network of tour agencies and operators,” Ponce said.

Palaui Island was named as one of the top 10 beaches and islands in the world by CNN Go in 2012. Recently, the island made it as number 10 in the list of CNN’s best 100 beaches in the world, placing even higher than El Nido in Palawan (14th) and Puka Beach in Boracay (84th).

The natural beauty of the place has also drawn the attention of reality television series “Survivor USA,” which is currently filming two seasons of the TV show on Palaui Island, and other locations in the freeport.

The Cagayan Freeport currently has two big foreign companies that have invested in leisure resort complexes, namely the Cagayan Holiday Resort in the San Vicente naval operating base, and the Eastern Hawaii Leisure Resort in the CEZA complex.

Both leisure resort complexes operate online gaming proxy betting operations, and have a combined occupancy of more than 600 VIP rooms, with luxury villas, KTV bars, water sports facilities, spas, and restaurants.

“Two more leisure resort complexes are set to be constructed. We were also able to convince local entrepreneurs to invest in hotels and accommodations in Santa Ana. An additional 200 rooms have been made available by the new hotels and resorts and this brings the total number of rooms in the zone to around 800,” he said.

“Interest (in the freeport) is being manifested not only by tourists but business investors as well. The Cagayan Freeport’s attractions such as Palaui Island are now trending,” he said.

Ponce, however, said CEZA’s ultimate goal is not to be a mere trending destination. “Our goal is to be a major leisure and business destination in a global setting, to be a mainstay in the tourism industry that offers a unique experience for all visitors.”