Siquijor, Negros Oriental preparing for domestic tourism reopening
THE PROVINCES of Negros Oriental and Siquijor are gearing up to reopen for domestic visitors nationwide, joining their two neighbors, Cebu and Bohol, in the Central Visayas Region that have already resumed tourism activities. Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat visited the two provinces last week to discuss how the national department can assist in the local industry’s revival, such as the adaption of the Visitor Information and Travel Assistance (VISITA) digital platform for registration and tracking. “Everyone is aware that the country’s tourism industry suffered a major setback last year, which prompted many of our destinations, including Negros Oriental, to put up travel restrictions. I am happy to say, however, that there has been significant progress in our efforts to rebuild tourism here in Negros Oriental,” she said. One of the first towns in Negros Oriental that recently reopened is Dauin, where some diving establishents have already been allowed to resume operations. Ms. Puyat, who chairs the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving, said more representatives of the agency will be deployed in the region to strengthen capacity and accredit more dive establishments. “This would allow the more efficient processing of the requirements to reopen dive establishments in Negros Oriental. The Department of Tourism-Region 7 office has also set up several diving activities for the year, including support for a marketing event previously discussed with the Negros Oriental Dive Association,” she said.