Surigao Norte eyes ‘regional ecotourism hub’ title
BUTUAN CITY – The Provincial Tourism Office of Surigao del Norte is eyeing to make the province the center of ecotourism in Caraga Region.
During the 1st Quarter Provincial Tourism Council Meeting on March 28, 2023, Jolly Joyce Tibay, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Tourism Office, expressed this, adding that responsible travel in natural tourist spots that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education will be lobbied.
The goals of the council include promotion of equitable and inclusive distribution of tourism benefits; uphold and practice principles of ecotourism to foster meaningful cross-cultural experiences between the tourist and host communities; empower local community and enhance partnership with stakeholders to promote responsible tourism; and employ and practice the knowledge-based tourism platform for appropriate and credible tourism development initiatives.
The latter is the most recent dominant perspective in tourism studies, arising from the sustainability discourse and emphasizing ideological neutrality and the application of rigorous scientific methods to generate knowledge so that communities can decide whether large or small-scale tourism is most appropriate.
Tibay also presented Executive Order No. 014, or the Creation and Composition of the Provincial Tourism Council and its functions including the provincial tourism's vision, mission, goals and objectives. The newly created council will be the partner of the Provincial Tourism Office in the planning and implementation of tourism initiatives in the province.
Board Member Julecs Sunico, who served as the honorary vice chairman on behalf of Governor Robert Lyndon Barbers, shared in his opening message, "The Provincial Tourism Office together with the Committee on Culture and the Arts will collaborate to provide quality service…through the development of tourist sites and operations of the province and continue promotional efforts with the end goal of attracting tourists and investors."
"I am convinced that this council has organized the local tourism industry into a cohesive organization that promotes the growth of the sector and the area, and we will continue to deliver results that are expected from our respective organizations and agencies," he added.
Also, the 122nd Foundation Day in celebration of the National Heritage Month was also discussed. The final list of activities with integration of culture and the arts will soon be announced to the public.
After the council meeting, officers and members of the Provincial Tourism Council led by Reynan Tan, council president, took their oath for the induction officiated by the provincial governor himself.
In closing, Gov. Barbers said, “Salamat gajud nga nisanong mo sa amo hangjo sa ijo nga to be part of the Provincial Tourism Council. As a matter of fact, hibayo man kamo tanan na that’s where I came from, that’s the industry I came from, and with the support dijo, I am sure mahimo pa kitang progressive sa tourism industry dinhi sa province (Thank you very much for responding to our request to be part of the Provincial Tourism Council. As a matter of fact, that's where I came from, that's the industry I came from, and with your support, I'm sure that with all your help the tourism industry here in the province will be more progressive).” (DMNR/RPC/PIA-Surigao del Norte)
