MIMAROPA eyes more tourism projects

MANILA, Philippines — The MIMAROPA unit of the Department of Tourism (DOT) plans to expand its offerings to tourists as it embarks on a number of product development initiatives, an official said.

In an interview, DOT MIMAROPA director Danilo Intong told reporters that the region has been pushing for the accreditation of more tourism establishments, in line with offering quality service to the tourists.

“We will continue our efforts on these toward patronizing DOT-accredited tourism enterprises and we will be working on more projects especially towards product development,” Intong said.

“So aside from promotion and marketing initiatives, because we have already awarded the products and the establishments that are already accredited, we’re going to develop new ones,” he said.

Intong identified the development of the region’s climbing offerings particularly for Mt. Victoria and Mt. Salakot, both in Palawan as some of the planned product development efforts in the pipeline.

He said the region is also eyeing to launch the MIMAROPA dive safari during the early part of next year.

“For Marinduque, we’re going to come up with a globally competitive experience of the three islands of Tres Reyes,” Intong said refering to the islands of Melchor, Baltazar and Gaspar.
In addition, the regional director said there would also be initiatives on the development of more tourism sites in the Sibuyan Islands.

“So there are a lot that we are putting in the pipeline for development,” Intong said.

Earlier this year, DOT MIMAROPA officials met with representatives of at least 10 air, and sea transport companies to work together to upgrade tourist services through accreditation and increased connectivity.

“In response to DOT’s challenge to make the whole MIMAROPA region a major tourist hub, the transport companies assured they plan to increase and expand connectivity with the airlines and shipping lines, adding more flights and opening new routes,” the DOT said.

Transport companies, five airlines, as well as five shipping companies pledged to comply immediately with accreditation requirement to boost connectivity to the MIMAROPA region.
Among the transport companies present in the meeting were Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, Air Juan Aviation, Airswift Transport, Magnum Air (Skyjet) Philippine Airlines, 2Go Group, Montenegro Shipping Lines, Navios Shipping Lines, Starhorse Shipping Lines and Starlite Ferries.

“We are elated as we share the renewed optimism over the continued growth of the tourism industry, which proves to be a key economic driver that can help uplift the lives of the poor in the countryside,” Intong said.