DOT Region 9 eyes formulation of tourism road map

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=2&rid=945502
• Tuesday, December 6, 2016

(PNA), NYP/TPGJR/RGAAG/

ZAMBOANGA CITY (PNA) -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) is eyeing the formulation of a tourism road map for Region 9.

Newly-installed DOT Regional Director Fernando Blanco made the announcement on Saturday citing that the formulation of a tourism road map is his priority.

Blanco said he would meet with all stakeholders including city and provincial tourism officers to get inputs in the formulation of the tourism road map for the region.

Blanco said the region has great potentials as far as the tourism industry is concerned since there are several beautiful places but are still unknown to tourists both domestic and international.

He said the region also enjoys relatively good climate, which is good for hiking and mountaineering and other tourism-related activities.

He said they would also embark on promotional activities to promote the pink sand beach of the Greater Sta. Cruz Island in this city and the Malawai Beach in Isabela City, Basilan.

He said Barangay La Paz, which is known as the “Little Baguio” of Zamboanga City, would also be developed to lure tourists into the area.

Blanco, who once served as then Philippine Tourism Authority operations manager for Mindanao, has replaced Maryjune Bugante as the new DOT regional director.

PTA is now known as the Tourism Infrastructure Enterprises Zone Authority.

Blanco, a real estate businessman, took his oath of office before DOT Secretary Corazon Wanda Tulfo - Teo last Nov. 28 in Manila.

He official assumed office on Dec. 1 in a simple turnover ceremony held at the DOT regional office here.