Tacloban City – The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Region 8 is strongly backing up the holding of the “Local Governance Tourism Seminar Workshop” for local chief executives and other stakeholders which will be held on July 26 to 28 at Hotel Alejandro in Tacloban City.

DOT 8 Director Karina S. Tiopes informed that DOT is closely coordinating with the Leyte Chamber of Industry and the Leyte School of Professionals which is the seminar provider together with the Asian Institute of Tourism, through its Dean Dr. Ma. Corazon Santiago, Ph.D., and with the help of other highly competent tourism executives from the National Capital Region.

Director Tiopes revealed that the seminar workshop which is dubbed as “Local Governance Seminar: A Unified Approach to the Development and Management of Sustainable Community-based Tourism Projects,” will be a big boost to the tourism industry in the Region as it aims to train local government executives, policy-makers, planners, business leaders and other stakeholders in creating, developing and implementing a unified community tourism programs and projects.

There is a need to develop a Tourism Mindset within a community before the business community will be encouraged to put in investments. Director Tiopes said there is a need for our local executives (mayors and barangay leaders) to build their capabilities and skills before they initiate and implement community based tourism projects.

This seminar is very timely as it will be a great help in the Department of Tourism’s Grassroots Entrepreneurs for Ecotourism project where the proponents are expected to submit proposals for ecotourism projects with the end-in-view of availing of the funding from the Department of Tourism.

Director Tiopes calls on the Region’s governors, mayors, lawmakers and barangay chairmen to attend the forthcoming Tourism Seminar and become part in making into reality, the vision of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo to make Central Philippines in which Region 8 is an integral part, the Tourism Center of the Philippines. (PIA 8)

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