DOT 7 director admits still learning the ropes

CEBU, Philippines - Newly appointed regional director of Department of Tourism (DOT-7) Joshur Judd Lanete is calling on the private sector to orient him of the industry's state.

Lanete, a former Mayor of Placer, Masbate, admitted that he has yet to know the raw situation of the region's tourism industry, particularly Cebu.

"My priority is to know the problem of the industry [first] and know their [stakeholders] concerns, for us to be able to get into solution," Lanete said in an interview.

The new regional director said that although he served as Mayor in Placer, Masbate for nine years, he is now based in Cebu after he lost the vice-gubernatorial race in the last election.

Prior to his appointment as tourism regional director in one of the main tourist destinations in the Philippines — Central Visayas, Lanete said he was a devoted full-time daddy.

Initially, he met with the officers of the Hotel, Resorts and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) led by its president Carlo Suarez, but Lanete said it was just a mere "meet and greet" encounter.

Lanete said he is opening his office for a series of dialogues with the tourism private sector stakeholders, as he is confident that the players understood that he is still learning.

Already, industry leaders have expressed their eagerness to meet with the new director, and even prepared to update him of the pressing concerns of the industry.

"What the region needs right now as far as tourism is concerned is the development of our tourism infrastructure especially in areas frequented by tourists and those areas that have potentials but still remain undeveloped up to this time," said Cebu Association of Tour Operator Specialists (CATOs) former president Edilberto Mendoza Jr., in a separate interview.

According to Mendoza, Central Visayas’ need for proper connectivity is an immediate concern, as potential destinations in other parts of the region are not enjoying their potential due to unavailability of good access.

"We need more connectivity going to the islands for better access and also we need to come up with a more concrete tour guiding standard," Mendoza added.

"We're glad that finally our DOT Secretary had made the announcement as we're eager to meet with the new director and find out his plans and programs for tourism development in Central Visayas," Melanie Ng, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president said.

Ng added that the business sector also hopes to be able to meet with the new director, "the soonest and discuss how the chamber can collaborate with his office." (FREEMAN)