NAGA CITY, May 6 (PIA) --- The lustrous panoramic view traversing the Caramoan-Catanduanes Link, including the frequently visited tourist attractions nestled in the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte has earned the cluster its title as “Gems of the Pacific.”
This is now the subject of the Department of Tourism’s (DOT) attention, together with the Bicol Tourism Council, local government units and attached agencies as it looks forward to the expansion of tourism development areas (TDAs) in Bicol, including the commitment of each province in ensuring their complementing roles in this alliance.
DOT-V Regional Director Maria “Nini” O. Ravanilla, during the ALMASOR and TRIPLE C Technical Working Group meeting held recently at the Avenue Plaza Hotel here conveyed to the stakeholders the department’s commitment to pursue the ALMASOR investment program, including its continuous project monitoring and the realization of the TRIPLE C Development Framework.
In relation to this, the TRIPLE C members convened recently to put the alliance’s mission into a more clear and achievable perspective. It was attended by representatives coming from the provinces of Camarines Sur, Camarines Norte and Catanduanes. Municipal planning and tourism officers, including TRIPLE C TWG members were also invited to participate in the workshop.
“We see TRIPLE C complementing the existing tourism blueprint and with a 15 per cent increase in tourist’s arrival every year, we can say that it is possible that we can attract 6 million visitors in 2016. What more if TRIPLE C will be developed?,” Ravanilla stated.
Ravanilla believes that the increasing tourist arrival or its continuous influx in the region would translate to more job opportunities for the locals and a more positive business atmosphere for industry managers.
DOT has already conducted provincial consultations and site validations in the three provinces in 2014. The inputs taken from the said activities were used in the preparation of the TRIPLE C Area development plan for 2015-2020. In Catanduanes, 9 potential tourist sites were visited by the team,12 in Camarines Norte and 13 sites in Camarines Sur.
Camarines Sur is among the priority areas for product and destination development. A visitor center with restroom worth 4.3M is being eyed to be constructed in the municipality of Buhi. There is also a proposal to acquire outrigger boat for the coastal town of Tinambac. Capalonga, Camarines Norte was chosen as a perfect site for the development of sports-adventure and eco-tourism park and for the construction of tourist information/assistance center and establishment of board work in the said area.
Meanwhile, the tourism coalition of ALMASOR has further strengthened its promotions and marketing campaign by joining national and international tourism fairs. Other accomplishments of the ALMASOR include the printing of the “Soul of the South” Coffee table, distribution of ALMASOR flyers and presentation of the video documentary on ALMASOR dubbed “Bicol Paradise.” (LSMacatangay, PIAV/Camarines Sur)