LGUs to tighten monitoring of tourist arrivals

By Keren Anne Bernadas

LEGAZPI CITY --- An official of the Department of Tourism (DOT) is calling on local government units (LGUs) in the Bicol region to tighten their monitoring of tourist arrivals in their localities, saying it will help measure tourism development in the area.

During a Kapihan briefing in July, DOT Regional Director Herbie Aguas stated that improving tourism monitoring would enhance the collaboration between the DOT and the LGUs, and facilitate the implementation of sustainable tourism projects at the local level.

“Hence, in order to assess the effectiveness of these initiatives, it is crucial to closely monitor the number of tourist arrivals. I urge every local government unit in the Bicol region to enhance and consistently update their monitoring reports to ensure that these achievements continue to grow in the future.,” Aguas said.

In January of this year, Camarines Sur had the highest number of travelers in the region, reaching 1,486,462, followed by Camarines Norte with 1,278,633, and Albay with 1,065,415.

Meanwhile, the provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon recorded traveler numbers of 160,800, 128,844, and 70,347, respectively.

“Hence, in order to assess the effectiveness of these initiatives, it is crucial to closely monitor the number of tourist arrivals. I urge every local government unit in the Bicol region to enhance and consistently update their monitoring reports to ensure that these achievements continue to grow in the future.,” Aguas said.

In January of this year, Camarines Sur had the highest number of travelers in the region, reaching 1,486,462, followed by Camarines Norte with 1,278,633, and Albay with 1,065,415.

Meanwhile, the provinces of Masbate, Catanduanes, and Sorsogon recorded traveler numbers of 160,800, 128,844, and 70,347, respectively.

“Aside from the appeal to efficiently record tourism arrivals, we also ask LGUs to include the documentation and the accreditation of local tourism enterprises in their respective areas,” Aguas said.

Tourism enterprises consist of beach resorts, tourism establishments, and other assets that will be used for the evaluation of projects, safety, and satisfaction of tourists from outside the region.

Aguas made notable remarks to add to their tourism performance activities that boost the heritage, culture, and arts of its residents.

He said that these factors are also measures of development and good governance among local officials.

Joining the forum, Masbate provincial tourism officer Gerardo Presado said that to boost tourism arrivals in their province, both the tourism and the cultural arts council consisting of the private sectors add valuable support to the endeavors of the government in tourism development.

Presado added that tourism offices were also capacitated to monitor tourism arrivals through the ongoing series of Filipino Brand of Service Excellence trainings of the DOT.

The overall P4,190,501 travelers logged in 2023 in the Bicol region have obtained over P3 billion in revenue, the regional director said.

In his report at Kapihan, Aguas said that the Bicol region has contributed 8.6 percent to the country’s gross domestic product, which showcases the substantial economic output directly attributed to tourism-related activities.

The region obtained a total of P22.9 billion in domestic visitor receipts and P541.35 million in foreign visitor receipts in 2023.

“The development of tourism in Bicol is a realization of the administration’s National Tourism Development Plan for 2023 to 2028 as approved by President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.,” he said.

The said plan is a tourism roadmap outlining the vision to establish a sustainable, resilient, and competitive Philippine industry that will create a tourism landscape that is not only vibrant but also innovative as a whole.

Following the positive ripple effect of tourism in Bicol, the director said that the region will provide huge employment opportunities and livelihood support for Bicolano’s labor force. (PIA5)