Developing and boosting potential tourist sites in Negros Oriental will be the next wave strategy as the Provincial Tourism Council plan anew agenda towards a new direction for a fresh provincial administration.{{more}}
Tourism council chair Dr. Nick Elman said to further promote the Province, the private —government partnership should be aggressive and assertive enough in developing potential tourist sites to continuously attract visitors to set foot in Negros Oriental.
Tourism stakeholder in collaboration with Provincial Tourism Office has been setting a work plan to identify priority projects and anchor destinations located in different areas in the province.
In support of the tourism plan, the Province has allotted some P16 million for tourism sites development this year which is to be endorsed by the Provincial Development Council for the approval of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan.
The budget is intended for this year’s implementation of the priority tourism projects which include the improvement of infrastructures, building tourist facilities, recreational sites, and constructions of restrooms along the Dumaguete-Bacolod and – Canlaon routes.
Of the total allocation proposed by both the Tourism and Engineer’s Offices of the Province, P11 million is for the development and improvement of Cantalina and Palaypay Falls in Amlan and Pamplona, respectively; Bulwang Cave of Mabinay; Balinsasayao and Balanan Lakes; and Tanjay Boardwalk.
P5 million has been earmarked for the construction of comfort rooms along the strategic tourism sites to the north national highway.
This development of the potential tourism and heritage sites, however, should be primarily driven by local government units involved, the Tourism Council official said.
Elman said the provincial government and LGUs have limited resources but pooling these resources together may spell success to communities by creating jobs for the locals.
He encouraged local officials in different towns to continuously look for more destinations to attract more tourists in visiting the countryside. (PIA/JCT)
