Tourism in Dumaguete is getting a second look.
City Tourism Officer Jacqueline Veloso-Antonio is working with stakeholders in coming up with a an attractive tourism package for Dumaguete City.
The stakeholders expressed optimism about the new direction after completing a two-day Tourism Development Orientation Workshop last week.
The workshop was facilitated by communications specialist Andrea Trinidad Echavez, a native of Guihulngan City and who has worked on tourism promotions projects for Bohol and Palawan.
The City Tourism Officer said Dumaguete’s ordinance for the creation of the City Tourism Council has yet to be reviewed and revised so it would suit the current needs as it was established in the past only for a specific purpose, which was for the renovation of the Rizal Boulevard.
Antonio, in an interview, said the inputs, sharing and other information and experiences during the two-day workshop will be collated and put together to create a united and cohesive tourism development plan for Dumaguete City.
The strengths of the city government will be enhanced and improved while weaknesses will be tackled and be given potential solutions, according to Antonio.
For her part, Andrea Trinidad Echavez stressed the need for strong collaboration between the private and the public sector.
It is necessary that government work with the private sector because these are stakeholders who play an important role in the tourism development and promotion of an area or destination.
Echavez cited Bohol and how it took years before this Central Visayas province could recover in its tourism industry following the devastation wrought by a powerful earthquake in 2013.
She admitted it was difficult at first for them to take off with the project, funded by the US Agency for International Development through its COMPETE program to get the support and cooperation of the locals governments and the private sector.
Veloso said the two-day workshop is the beginning of a series of activities that will ensure that Dumaguete City will have a cohesive tourism development plan that will act as a guide in marketing and promoting it to both local and international tourists.
During the workshop, participants were also exposed to tips and techniques on branding Dumaguete as a tourist destination.
It is a slow process and it won’t happen overnight, according to the resource speaker, who said consultations must be made to see how the branding can connect the message about Dumaguete to its target market.
She cited some brands like Incredible India and Malaysia, Truly Asia, and the old “It’s More Fun In The Philippines” branding, which will soon be replaced.
Echavez recommends that when coming up with a destination branding, it has to be honest in what a country or area can truly offer and not be deceiving that when a tourist arrives at that destination, that person will be disappointed.
She noted that Dumaguete City has a lot of potential in the tourism industry and it only needs a little push and with a stronger and clearer direction so it can move forward and achieve its goals of promoting it according to what it can offer in terms of tourism. (JFP)
