“Wish you were here…”, the tag line that, in more ways than one, ignited a sense of wanting-to-be-there in both domestic and foreign travel bugs and drove them to come south to Camarines Sur. So what’s up at the Camarines Sur tourism front? One thing is clear, eco-tourism is gaining ground and growing by leaps and bounds.
Since becoming Camarines Sur governor in 2004, Gov. LRay Villafuerte has rationalized the provincial tourism drive and formulated well-focused campaigns that not only whet the interests of foreign and local travelers, but also sustain it.
Ms. Marife Maralit, Provincial Tourism Office Head disclosed that visitor arrivals from January to June 2007 stood at 202,860 domestic and foreign tourists. Figures also show that tourist arrivals in 2006 doubled from the previous year from 144,252 to 258,608. Prospects loom bright and large as community-based tourism programs disperse the economic benefits of tourism to a wider segment of the population. Bent on pursuing destination development and promotion towards positioning the province as one of the leading destinations in the country, the dynamic governor continues to step-up efforts to improve and establish tourism support facilities. Team-up with media organizations has been forged towards disseminating information and travel advisories and implementing promotional campaigns. Worth noting are the catchy “Come South, Cam Sur” ad campaigns and music videos that showcase the fabulous sights of the province and aptly captures the fun spirit of its people.
Tour packages to the province’s unspoilt havens of stunning natural beauty are available in a wide selection of one and two-day guided tours for duos and groups. Marketing of these packages targets groups traveling for business, education and leisure purposes. Regular Sightseeing Tour Packages are pre-packaged for the general, run-of-the-mill travelers. The Ad Hoc Tour Packages are tours custom-made to fit requirements and specifications of a particular-itinerary travel group. Camarines Sur’s best-kept secrets are revealed in the interesting destinations offered by the Prov’l. Tourism Office tour packages. From adventure trips to the pristine beaches and limestone cliffs of Caramoan; Aguirangan Island Tour; Atulayan Island Tour; to a refreshing dip in the cool waters of the majestic Tumaguiti, Kawa-kawa and Bulalacao waterfalls of Mt. Isarog. Or simply be mesmerized by the breathtaking sight of tropical birds in Magarao and Barcelonita, or watch frisky dolphins frolick in the open seas of Pasacao. The Consocep Mountain Resort is likewise a favorite get-away for nature-trippers. Nestled at 1,800 ft. above sea level, it lends a perfect panoramic view.
The Prov’l. Tourism Office regularly hosts familiarization tours to Manila-based inbound travel companies and to national and foreign media. Of late, Camarines Sur figured in various television features and magazines, receiving wide acclaim and media mileage for its natural attractions. Just recently, an organized women-only interest group, Women in Travel, composed of travel agents and operators, and owners of travel destinations visited the province for sightseeing and for seeking possible opportunities for tourism-related ventures. The office also has its hands full in the months ahead. Brian Jovellanos, Special Operations Officer II, said that plans are underway for the province’s participation in the Philippine Travel Mart and Gayon Bicol Fiesta. The travel fairs, organized by influential travel organizations and agencies, duly endorsed and accredited by the Department of Tourism are perfect channels for conducting business,networking and establishing linkages with key players in the tourism industry.
The remarkable strides that the Prov’l. Tourism Office is making in the local tourism landscape are, in large measure, attributed to the emergence of the CWC in the province’s tourism map, Ms. Maralit said. The CWC, now a household name among wakeboarding enthusiasts and extreme sports lovers, draws the bulk of visitors from all over the world – Americans and Europeans particularly. For the month of May alone, it posted 7,568 foreign tourist arrivals and 68,261 local tourists. Clearly enough, CWC has niched Camarines Sur as the new kid in the eco-tourism block. Next year, a grand event shall unfold as CWC has been chosen as the venue of the 2008 International Water Ski Federation (IWSF) Cable Wakeboard World Championships. Come August 12, popular matinee idol Aga Muhlach, himself a wakeboard enthusiast, is set to arrive with his family for his birthday celebration.
Eco-tourism as a vehicle for accelerated development is a priority in Gov. Villafuerte’s development agenda. This vision he clearly declared at his inaugural address when he first took office as governor of the province in 2004. A visionary that he is, he believed in the power of the Bicolanos to make it happen: “With world-class innovation and exceptional creativity, catalyzed by unifying excellence and global consciousness, we can help our country move forward into the Global Village.”
A new paradigm arises that translates to a new level of progressive thinking. With Gov. Villafuerte at the helm, the future of tourism industry in the province could only be rosy. As he often quotes when referring to the CWC, “Field of Dreams…If you build it, they will come”. Reinventing Camarines Sur..rediscovering the glory and beauty it holds. This could only mean that it shall be the next big thing in the Philippine tourism map. And tourists wishing to be here would not leave without the promise to come back. KTSanjose
