Catbalogan considers the creation of a Local Tourism Council a priority

By EMY C. BONIFACIO, Samar News.com
October 12, 2010

CATBALOGAN, Samar  –  At least 20 participants of a DTI-GTZ facilitated workshop held in Catbalogan, Samar on October 7 identified the creation of a Tourism Council as a priority in Tourism Industry Development Program (TIDP). This was the consensus reached by participants, representing both the public and private sector, in a participatory deliberation using the COMPASS process in evaluating the TIDP implementation.

It would be recalled that both the Tourism Industry Development Project (TIDP) and the Business Permits and Licensing System (BPLS) were the two main projects that were identified during the previous Local and Regional Economic Development (LRED) Planning conducted by the local government unit of Catbalogan through the support of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and German Technical Cooperation (GTZ).

“The compass workshop, as the term literally means, is a monitoring and evaluation tool that would tell us where to go, what has been done, and measure whether what has been done was in line with what has been previously designed. It is intended to align strategies, track progress on action plans, define critical success factors and the future activities,” explains DTI Officer-in-Charge, Ms Meilou Macabare.

The workshop focused on developing Catbalogan as a world class tourist destination by harnessing and protecting its environmental capacities. During the discussions, the individual roles of the various stakeholders in achieving its vision were properly delineated. Concerns, such as tourism sites inventory, budget, information materials, tourism office, facilities, human resource development, infrastructure and an active tourism council were listed down as important factors to be considered.

In so far as what has been done to promote local tourism is concerned, the group was unanimous in saying that much has already been done, but its impact was not very much felt by the local populace and was not successful in inviting more tourists. A necessity to revisit the critical success factors, which were identified, was suggested.

As its next doable steps to tourism promotion, the group will be lobbying with the Local Chief Executive for the immediate creation of a Catbalogan Tourism Council through an Executive Order. This will ensure the appointment of a Tourism Officer who will oversee the Tourism Office and its functions. Furthermore, it is expected that the Local Legislative Council will ultimately pass an appropriation ordinance, where funds will be allocated for the sustainability of the project.

The LGU was proud in announcing that despite the lack of funds on tourism promotion, Catbalogan got nominated in an OTOP national competition. News features on the tourism potentials of Samar has been published on local and national television networks. Business wise, increased bookings on hotel accommodations and increased daily trips of transport services are positive indicators of a growing tourism activity in the area.