LEGAZPI CITY – For the first six months of this year, there has been a seven percent increase in tourist arrivals in the Philippines.

        Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano made this report in an ambush interview with members of the local media here last August 8 at Hotel Venezia.

        The Tourism Secretary arrived here Friday morning together with former Sen. Francisco ‘Kit’ Tatad to visit tourist-oriented projects like the Embarcadero seafront resort in Legazpi City, the Discovery Bay Misibis resort in Cagraray Island, Bacacay, Albay and the Ligńon Hill Viewdeck project in Legazpi City.

        Upon arrival at the Legazpi Airport, the two guests were welcomed by Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal and Department of Tourism Regional Director Maria Ong Ravanilla.

        “Legazpi City is one of the country’s favorite tourist destinations and we’re very happy that this Embarcadero and Discovery Bay Misibis resort will give new attractions to city,” Durano said.

        He added that with the development of these new attractions, more tourists will be coming to this city.

        “Kapag malakas ang turismo, marami ang trabaho,” Durano said.

        “ I see Hotel Venezia expanding and I understand that 90 percent of the employees come from Legazpi City. So we can say that tourism creates jobs, employment and career opportunities for local communities,” he said.

        At the same time, he urged local governments and entrepreneurs to continue promoting their local tourist destinations and investing in tourist-oriented business establishments.

        “I’m very proud to say that Bicol region, especially Legazpi City, is one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the country today,” the former congressman from Cebu said.

        “I’m very proud of these developments because three years ago, Bicol was not yet in the tourism map,” he said.

        Durano/said that “viewing Mt. Mayon is very refreshing and she looks like a sexy lady.”

        He revealed that Mt. Mayon is now among the top four in the search for the new seven wonders of the world. The top four tourist attractions are Chocolate Hills of Bohol, the Underground River of Puerto Princesa City, the Tubbataha Reef of Palawan and Mt. Mayon of Albay.