‘Cordillera a sure tourism winner’ – PHILTOA
BAGUIO CITY – The Philippine Tour Operator Association ( PHILTOA) has given its commitment that its than 300 members and affiliate accommodations, transportations and hotel and restaurant groups will market the region’s unique features and attractions.
PHILTOA made the vow during the five-day Island Philippines Fun Caravans Cordillera leg where some 50 tour operators and first-time visitors toured heritage sites and tourist destinations in the region.
The tourism caravan is the first activity of the PHILTOA, with the aim of boosting tourism promotion in the entire country. The caravan started in the Cordillera region, then to Southern Tagalog, Central and Northern Luzon, Visayas and in Mindanao.
PHILTOA President Cesar Cruz said the group advocates to help the domestic tourism industry through the caravan – an effective way to encourage local and foreign tourists to visit historic sites in the countryside.
He said that their group wishes to contribute to the declaration of 2015 Visit Philippines’ “Its more fun in the Philippines” of the DOT by coming up with the five caravans which they can use to design low cost tour packages for visitors.
He stressed that Cordillera is not difficult to sell as the communities are ready, the local governments have programs and there are unique offerings and sites that can be found in the region.
The Cordillera’s Heritage Warrior Caravan started in Kiangan, Ifugao where the local government pushes for the new concept of tourist destination and attraction – the “Open Air Museum.”
Kiangan is the town where General Tomoyuki Yamashita actually surrendered in September 2, 1945 before he was flown to Camp John Hay in Baguio City for the signing of the surrender documents with the Americans the following day.
The concept is not just seeing the attraction, but being part of the attraction, doing activities involving the tourists right at the heritage site.
The next stop was Banaue and Banga-an Rice Terraces which are listed as UNESCO heritage sites. The group proceeded to Bontoc and Sagada in Mt.Province ; then to Buguias, Atok and La Trinidad towns,ending in Baguio.