BY: FAYETTE C. RIÑEN
CEBU, March 18 (PIA) – Central Visayas
is the top eco-tourism destination in the country as the Regional Eco-Tourism
Committee chaired by the Department of Tourism (DOT-7) is fast tracking the
identification of eco-tourism sites in the region for tourism development.
Regional technical director of the
Protected Area, Wildlife Conservation Zone and Management Services of the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) Dr. Al Orolfo, disclosed about the number one status of
Region 7 as an eco-tourism haven nationwide.
“Bohol is the top choice as an
eco-tourism destination in Central Visayas followed by Cebu,” said Ornolfo
during the recent meeting of the Regional Inter-Agency Steering Committee on
Environmental Education.
“Eco-tourism has a very lucrative
potential in Central Visayas,” said Orolfo which the government hopes to tap
and further market in the domestic shores and abroad.
DENR-7 used to chair the regional
committee which this year is now led by the DOT-7. Apart from government
stakeholders, also members of the committee are the local government units and
other concerned sectors, said Orolfo.
Orolfo said the vast potentials of
eco-tourism have yet to be optimized as government is now gearing towards such
direction; of which Bohol he added is already very advanced in effectively
promoting and marketing the province as an ideal eco-tourism
destination.
“This year will be the identification
of eco-tourism sites which is why we need the LGUs to help us identify these
areas,” bared Orolfo adding the committee will then determine how huge the
potentials are as a tourist crowd-drawer.
He added, after the identification of
eco-tourism sites in the region this year, by 2015 or next year, development of
these eco-tourism sites will begin. This will be in partnership with the
concerned LGUs and tour operators.
Orolfo said that in 2016, aggressive marketing
strategies will be applied to ensure the promotion of such eco-tourism sites.
In Cebu, the DENR-7 official cited
Bantayan Island, which has already gained a reputation as a popular tourist
haven as one classic example of an eco-tourism destination.
Late last month, the National Eco-Tourism Strategy Plan was
launched which would guide government and other stakeholders on approaches and
policies to be adopted for the development of eco-tourism destinations in the
country. The Plan is good for the next 20 years, said Orolfo. (mbcn/FCR/PIA-7)