Concerns about air transport availability, air traffic and internet services were among the major issues discussed during the Tourism Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting last Tuesday at the Bellevue Resort in Panglao.
Senator Sonny Angara, Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Tourism, the forum’s guest speaker was on hand to meet these various stakeholders from government and private sectors.
Also discussed were the proper franchising of transportation vehicles for tourism, which is necessary for the safety and protection of tourists.
Angara committed to convey to the Senate Tourism Committee all matters discussed during the meeting as inputs in designing plans and programs by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Transportation and Communication, for Bohol and for the whole country.
During the forum, Provincial Administrator Alfonso R. Damalerio, who represented Gov. Edgar M. Chatto, reported on the latest developments in the construction of the New Bohol Airport in Panglao, being a vital factor towards the development of tourism in Bohol.
Ms. Josephine R. Cabarrus, head of the Provincial Tourism Office also presented the gains and advancement of tourism two years after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit the Province.
She also reported the projects made possible through the assistance of the USAID-COMPETE in relation with the Visit Bohol Campaign 2015 and JICA-SEPP’s conceptualization and fulfillment of Eco-tourism Bohol.
Also present in the forum were 1st District Congressmen and Congress Committee Chairman on Tourism Rene Relampagos and Second District Congressman Erico Aristotle C. Aumentado, who assured to continue working for the growth and sustainability of the province’s tourism industry.
DOT’s Regional Director Rowena Lu Y. Montecillo and Atty. Lucas M. Nunag, President of the Bohol Provincial Tourism Council, Inc, also attended and participated in the discussion. (NPS)