Sun.Star Baguio

Tourism week moved

- Sun*Star Reporter Lauren Alimondo

DUE TO the effects left by Typhoon Ompong, La Trinidad will be postponing its first Tourism Week originally slated September 24 to 29 which aims promote culture and boost tourism services in the valley.

The tourism week also aims to increase tourists arrival with 550,000 to 800,000 visiting the country’s strawberry capital for the past three years and is considered as one of the most visited town in the Cordillera region.

Although a date will still be set, the five day program will be conducted at the municipal gym with lined up activities including tourism products and services, display of tourism photos and art exhibits.

Cooperativ­e Developmen­t Officer Orlando Pacya said the activity also aims to promote the local goods of the valley and develop the skills of the locals on the tourism products.

The first day will be allotted for local products and services related to tourism.

Pacya said micro small medium entreprene­urs were invited which has contribute­s 95 percent to th town’s economy.

A seminar will also conducted in coordinati­on with the Food and Drug Administra­tion, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Science and Tehnology which will focus on product developmen­t, standards in packaging and labeling and requiremen­ts from monitoring agencies to critic and invite online business marketing.

“Aside from the face to face consultati­on with their consumers, they can also use social media,” he added.

The supposed weeklong event coin-

cides with the celebratio­n of World Tourism Day with the theme “Tourism and the digital transforma­tion”.

Municipal Tourism Officer Valred Olsim said they are currently conducting a study on the economic impact of tourism in the town.

An awarding of best tourism oriented barangay and businesses, a concert, fashion show and exhibits will also be held.

To promote ecotourism and environmen­tal preservati­on, an Eco-Kulturamaz­ing Race will be held including an environmen­tal forum with the youth and the whole stakeholde­rs of the valley eyed as participan­ts.

La Trinidad recently identified tourism as a driver of economic developmen­t following the local council’s enactment of measures institutio­nalizing the celebratio­n of coffee festival, strawberry festival and farm tourism.

A Tourism Act was also approved in 2009 which seeks to sustain tourism developmen­ts in having an avenue to appreciate and promote the local tourism sites and products and for the community to be updated of the new tourism system.

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 ?? SSB photo ?? PICTURE PERFECT. Since its opening a few years back, the StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork has become an instant tourist attraction in La Trinidad, Benguet.
SSB photo PICTURE PERFECT. Since its opening a few years back, the StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork has become an instant tourist attraction in La Trinidad, Benguet.

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