TPB bridges gaps via tourism marketing

The Zamboanga Peninsula and the Caraga Region are both in Mindanao but on its opposite sides.

Thus, their vast difference from each other can be easily attributed to the great distance that separates them from ridge to reef. Zamboanga faces the West Philippine Sea, and Caraga the Pacific Ocean. Both are gateways to the rest of Mindanao from the Visayas. Yet, both have profound and magnetic allure perceptibly unique to each other.

While being Mindanao’s smallest region, Zamboanga has 958 islands and islets, three provinces, and five cities. Zamboanga’s numerous Christian churches of mostly Western character come in a striking but wonderful contrast to the iconic vintas dotting its gorgeous shoreline. The vintas are very uniquely Asian, but the people speak a Spanish-sounding dialect called Chabacano. It was like a clash or a marriage of two cultures between the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa across the Mediterranean repeating itself in history in the West Philippine Sea.

Then again, Zamboanga is not too far from the Moro Gulf a little further down south. With all its magnificent natural land and seascape, the peninsula’s commercial and financial center, Zamboanga City, has everything to make it a hub for international tourism. The city hosts a freeport and special economic zone and an international airport. Ten other secondary airports operate in the region.

Still, ethnic communities that account for a third of the population continue with their traditions to give the region its unique color and culture. Being fishermen, many Tausugs, Samals and Badjaos still roam the seas, while the Maranaos and the Yakans remain traders and artisans who keep indigenous fabrics of traditional designs available up to this time.

No wonder the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) continue to market the Zamboanga Peninsula to both foreign and domestic tourists, especially with its vintas being among the country’s tourism icons. The TPB is promoting Zamboanga and the rest of Mindanao to highlight its region-focused tourism product and market development campaign.

Moving across to the Caraga Region at the other side of Mindanao, the look and feel change as the cultural environment is made different by another set of ethnic communities -- the Manobos, Kamayo, Higaonon, Banwaon, Umayamnon, Kalagan, and Mamanwa. This region has as many tourism attractions along the coasts as there are inland, but it is now popular for surfing.

And like Zamboanga in the early years, Caraga was also visited by people from mainland Asia, followed by Malays, Arabs, Chinese, Japanese, Spanish and Americans. Now the TPB wants those visits by both foreign and domestic tourists to increase and boost the economy of the regions.

For that purpose, the TPB is showcasing Mindanao to both the foreign and domestic tourism market at the threeday Travel Madness Expo at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia, from July 3 to 5. Here, Zamboanga and Caraga can be promoted back to back.

Apparently, the TPB doesn’t want Mindanao to get bogged down in a chicken and egg situation, waiting for peace to bring about economic development, or economic development to bring about peace. It has to start somewhere, and tourism may just be the key as it once was, many centuries past.