Mindanao businessmen urged to invest in tourism
By Franklin P. Gumapon
Dipolog City (16 October) -- Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) BizTour 5 convenor Yvonne Pascual has shown Mindanao businessmen the vast potentials in tourism industry.
Speaking before a group of businessmen attending the first Mindanao Trade, Investment and Tourism congress held here recently, Pascual disclosed that the Philippines is one of the primary tourist destinations in Asia saying that the 2005 figures revealed that a total of 2.68 million international tourists had come to the country.
“The 2005 figures also showed that the annual tourism revenue had amounted to $ 2.68 million with 2.3 million jobs generated,” Pascual said.
Pascual also identified certain areas that could help boost tourism like attractions, activities, accommodation and accessibility. “Most tourists are attracted to historical sites, tribal villages, camping grounds, pilgrimage sites, or museums,” she stressed.
In challenging the businessmen to invest in tourism-related undertakings, Pascual said that even if one would try to invest in comfort room business, he could become a millionaire as tourists would always look for clean rest rooms.
It can be recalled that with the creation of super regions, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo included the shrine city of Dapitan in the central Philippines tourism hub.
Aside from being a historical place where the national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal, was exiled for four years, Dapitan City is also home to the famous Dakak Park and Beach Resort. (PIA) [top]
