LGU, private sector partnership foster tourism industry in the Cordillera

February 5, 2019 Community Billboard

BAGUIO CITY – Tourism is among the priority areas identified by the government where it generates potential jobs and it plays an important role in the regional economy and in the country as a whole.
Over the years, the strong partnership between the Department of Tourism-Cordillera (DOT-CAR), local government units and private sectors brought a significant increase of tourism activities in the Cordillera region, the country’s premiere highland region which boasts the rich natural beauty, cool climate, unique culture and history.
To continue the region’s tourism efforts, on Tuesday (January 29) during the weekly Kapihan sponsored by the Cordillera Association of Regional Executives (CARE), the Department of Tourism-Cordillera (DOT-CAR), headed by its Officer-in-charge Jovy Ganongan, some heads of some local government units (LGUs) and private groups announced initial events to be held in the first quarter of this year in different parts of the region.
In announcing the various tourism activities, Ganongan recognized the tourism efforts made by the various stakeholders of the industry, emphasizing the tourism potentials of the region.
Ganongan, described region’s tourism efforts in 2018, “very exciting” marked by several milestones.
However, she stressed, planning is vital in the development and promotion of tourism related activities.
The DOT official vowed that her agency will strengthen its tourism skills development program aimed at upgrading the competitiveness of industry players.
In a government economic planning body report, “even as the region boasts of unique natural and cultural attractions, local government units and related government agencies need to intensify their assistance to level-up the quality of services provided to travelers and qualify them for accreditation.”
“The regional tourism database needs to be enhanced with the strengthening of local tourism database management that covers data gathering, processing, analysis, retrieval and dissemination. Among others, this would address the under-reporting that affects the region’s position in the national tourism landscape,” the government body further stated.
For this year, initial tourism activities include “Panagbenga” Flower Festival of Baguio City; Strawberry and Coffee Festival, respectively, initiated by the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet; Lambak ed Tadian and Gag-gam or “Get Together” organized by the Municipalities of Tadian and Bauko, respectively, in Mt Province.
Thousands of visitors will again expected flock to the Summer Capital to watch the featured street dancing and the grand float parade of the month-long celebration (Feb) of Panagbenga.
Also in Baguio, Tam-Awan Village will hold its 9th International Arts Festival set on Feb. 9. It will showcase the varied talents of local artists across the country. A culinary exhibition and demonstration will also be featured. A free art workshop will also be staged to highlight the celebration of National Heritage Month (May).
In La Trinidad,,in line with the government’s tourism initiatives and investment-driven strategy, this capital town will hold its 2nd Coffee Festival on Feb. 7 followed by its Strawberry Festival in March capped by the display of a giant strawberry cake.
Valdred Olsim, tourism officer of La Trinidad said, tours to coffee farms and facilities, a coffee conference and stakeholders assembly will be conducted during the festival aimed at learning global trends and to give local farmers more competitive edge.
Tadian Mayor Anthony Wooden and Bauko Tourism Officer Arsenia Addon said various cultural inspired events and agro-industrial fairs will top their activities.
Addon emphasized, its agro-tourism, local farmers were able to adopt good agricultural practices.
Furthermore, sustaining the region’s potential as prime eco-tourist destination, endurance and mental toughness by local trail runners will be tested to the hilt when they match their skills against seasoned foreign participants in the Pilipinas Akyathlon set on Feb 10 and the 8th King of the Mountain Trail Run-Philippines (KOTM) to be staged on Feb. 16 and April 5, respectively.
The Pilipinas Akyathlon’s 49Km Sky Marathon (National Skyrunning Championship) will be staged in Barangay Tinongdan in Itogon.
While the races of KOTM will start in Kayapa, bordering provinces of Benguet and Nueva Viscaya. Runners will be negotiating the scenic Mount Ugo, Mount Pack and breathtaking Mount Pulag, and numerous hills and valleys of the Cordillera.
Primo Agatep /ABN