DOT implements Cultural Tourism Development Workshop for the Province of Batanes
Basco, Batanes – The Department of Tourism, Cagayan Valley Region implemented a four-day Cultural Tourism Product Development Workshop last July 12-15, 2022. The workshop responds to the mandate of the DOT to encourage activities and programs which promote tourism awareness, preserve the country’s diverse cultures and heritage, and instill a sense of history and a culture of tourism among the youth and the populace under Republic Act 9593, Section 3.b.
The product development workshop was attended by 37 tourism industry stakeholders from the local government units of the six municipalities of the Island Province of Batanes, travel agency operators, legislators, academe, officers of tourism and cultural related enterprise organizations and tour guides.
Provincial Tourism Officer Hegel Valones said that this is the most represented gathering of tourism industry workers attending a workshop in the Province of Batanes.
The DOT Regional Office 2 tapped Professor Eric Zerrudo as a Resource Speaker whose expertise lie in establishing the importance and awareness of culture and heritage as a tourism product . Aside from culture and heritage, Batanes is also famous for its exceptional picture -perfect landscapes and seascapes.
Regional Director Fanibeth Domingo explained that in order to establish the authenticity and consistency of tour packages being sold by the region’s tour operators, the regional office is implementing a Product Development Cycle. The cycle is a process aimed at creating an inclusive and participative gathering of tourism industry practitioners for a series of workshops , capacity development trainings and assessment trips.
The region’s product development initiatives has been proven successful through the launching of various tourism circuits like the Feel the Vibe Vizcaya! for the Province of Nueva Vizcaya; Quirino Your Basket of Happiness for Province of Quirino; Santa Ana: Your Adventure Paradise for the Municipality of Sta. Ana, Cagayan and Tuguegarao City Heritage Tour for Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, the regional center of Region 2.
Director Domingo shared that Tourism Product Development initiatives in the country is presented and discussed in the LGU Tourism Guidebook composed of eleven materials and supplemental readings which is a framework for development initiatives under the National Tourism Development Plan (NTDP).
She added that the LGU Tourism Guidebook is a downloadable material or tool provided for the LGUs who desire to develop tourism industry as an economic activity in their area. The guidebook also gives a step by step procedure in crafting their Local Tourism Development Plan.#ftdomingo.3qtr