BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Provincial Tourism Office here hopes that the incoming municipal chief executives in the province will appoint a permanent tourism action officer in their areas jurisdiction to further enhance the tourism industry in the province.
During the Provincial Micro Small and Medium Enterprise Development Council meeting last June 1, 2016, Roger Sacyaten, Supervising Tourism Operations Officer, Provincial Tourism Office bared that only Barlig and Sagada have assigned permanent tourism action officers.
Sacyaten said that appointing a tourism officer will ensure the continuance of tourism programs in the different municipalities. He said that most of the tourism officers in the different municipalities are designated and are also assigned to regular works. A change in municipal administration will highly result to the non continuance of the different programs that already started.
The different municipalities were also advised to identify and adopt in the form of an ordinance their tourist attractions. Chief executives must also consider the necessary funding and technical assistance for the development of their respective tourist spots.
Sacyaten added that in the tourism industry, before promoting a place, transportation and accommodations must be considered because it is the first thing that tourists would consider before visiting a place.
He also bared that the Provincial Tourism Office is promoting a community-based tourism wherein the community has a big part to play in the tourism industry. He cited the tourists flocked municipality of Sagada as an example for having a good promotion and development practices because of the sharing of responsibilities between the municipal government and the community most especially the private sector.
For the part of the provincial government, Sacyaten said that the Provincial Tourism Office usually helps in promoting the different tourist spots. It also provides technical supports like training and seminars on customer services, tour guiding and to the transportation sector. Moreover, the office also assists in the conduct of activities or event to invite tourists in their respective places.
The Provincial Tourism Office also states that there are limited souvenir items in the communities where tourists usually go. It advices the different enterprises in the province to grab this chance and make souvenir items which are unique in your places. “Unique, meaning the tourist will remember your place through your product” Sacyaten said.
Menawhile, Governor Bonifacio Lacwasan Jr. voiced out his support to the tourism programs of the province and he also assures to maintain the continuous support to the micro, small and medium enterprises.
By Erwin Batnag