ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Terror threats from the nearby province of Sulu did not deter tourists from visiting Tawi-Tawi, which earned closed to P1 billion in tourism revenues last year.
Amir Mawalil, information officer of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM), said there were 55,085 foreign and local tourists who visited Tawi-Tawi, which posted a total income of P965 million in tourism revenues.
Mawalil said tourists came to the province either on holiday or for business.
He said the ARMM is building more roads in order to connect Tawi-Tawi’s islands to urban areas.
Mawalil said the regional government’s public works and highways department allotted P55 million for the development of Bud Bongao, the province’s famous peak.
Tourism projects in Bud Bongao include a multi-purpose hall, a view deck, a station point, a concrete pathway, a parking area and a billboard.
Maritess Maguindra, ARMM’s tourism chief, said tourist arrivals are expected to increase once the development on Bud Bongao is completed.
The local tourism office will develop ecotourism packages, which will include scuba diving, island hopping and visits to local communities.
Among the province’s major tourist sites are Panampangan Island, the white beaches in Sapa-Sapa and Sitangkai towns, Boloboc Cave on Sanga-Sanga Island and Turtle Island.