Kalinga tourism council bares 3-point agenda

Determined to place the development of the tourism industry of the province as one of the flagship programs of the provincial government, Natividad Sugguiyao, newly elected President of the Kalinga Provincial Tourism Council (PTC) presented the council’s Three-Point Agenda to the local officials led by Governor Floydelia Diasen.

The first agenda is the establishment of a 50/50 partnership between the government and the private sector in tourism development. The tourism industry, she pointed out, is not the sole responsibility of the government but more on the initiative of the private sector.

“The tourism industry is a magnet industry. It attracts development from physical to social infrastructure this is why we need to support it,” she said “there is so much at stake in making tourism as one flagship program and this is evident everywhere,” she expressed.

The second agenda is the need for an aggressive marketing and promotions programs. “This is what we need in the province. As a destination we are fortunate that our tourism assets cater to the high end or jet setting people who have money to spend,” she underscored.

Sharing her experiences how the Chico River Quest Incorporated (CRQI) became internationally known as a world class destination, she said that they had to make a lot of sacrifices and invest much in its promotion.

The third agenda is the ‘development of more events and destinations’ where the province should consider hosting events instead of the province bringing its culture, arts and products to other provinces for them to enjoy and benefit from.

“With this tourism development agenda we look forward to a small step that would lead to a giant leap towards the development in the province,” she said with optimism.

Expressing her support to the proposal, Diasen said that it is a big responsibility for the new officers to lead the industry to spur economic development and bring about changes to the place and its people.

She stressed the need to solve the problems affecting the development of the industry like the wrong perception of the peace and order situation, bad or lack of roads and other needed tourism facilities.

“There is no tribal wars in Kalinga, we are peace loving people,” she said explaining that there is only the disruptions of the peace and order when there are crimes that affect the situation of peace and order in the province,” she stated.

Infrastructure she said is important to cater to the needs of tourists as she encouraged provincial legislators to pour more effort and support to develop the industry.

In terms of promotion, the governor underscored the need for the people of Kalinga to appreciate what they have. “Each of us should advertise the beauty that we have in the province and invite people to come and see these,” she said challenging everyone to “become ambassadors of the tourism industry”.