Eastern Samar Philippines

Tourist arrivals continue to grow in Eastern Visayas — DoT
By Joey A. Gabieta
Visayas Bureau
First Posted 05:47pm (Mla time) 04/06/2008
TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines — The Department of Tourism in Eastern Visayas reported that tourist arrivals in the region continue to increase, contributing to the regional economy in the process.

The DoT reported that 244,786 tourists visited the region in 2007, which resulted in tourist receipts of more than $5.22 million. Of the number, 47,400 were foreigners with North Americans and East Asians leading the visitors.

“We hope to surpass last year’s record by at least 10 percent this year,” said Karina Rosa Tiopes, regional tourism chief.

The 2007 tourist arrivals were a marked increase compared to the 203,569 tourists, who visited the region in 2006 that brought in $4.23 million in tourist receipts.

Eastern Visayas is composed of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar (Western Samar), and Southern Leyte.

Tiopes said the increasing trend of tourist arrivals in the region could be attributed to their aggressive campaign to promote Eastern Visayas as an adventure destination.

Tourists, she said, can enjoy the region’s white beaches, wonderful caves, and waterfalls for their “adventure activities.”

Among the tourist attractions the DoT is pushing in the region are the Sohoton National Park located in Basey, Samar, which is rich in geological features such as caves, underground rivers, and limestone boulders; and the Calicoan Island in Guiuan, Eastern Samar, which is being promoted as a surfing area.

Tiopes also credited the cooperation extended by the local government units in the region which have been doing their own share in promoting their respective tourist destinations.

The tourism regional chief, however, said some municipalities in the region have yet to give priority to promoting their areas as tourism destinations or have no ordinances that could help their localities attract tourists.

To boost tourism promotion by local government units, DoT-8 will spearhead on April 25 a regional forum to be attended by members of the city, municipal, and provincial legislative councils.

Tiopes said the one-day forum would aim to help local legislators come up with ordinances, resolutions, or codes that would set the guidelines in the promotion of the tourism industry in their respective areas.

Expected to attend the forum are Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano and Senator Loren Legarda, vice chairperson of the Senate’s committee on tourism, according to Tiopes.
source: inquirer.net