DOT pushes for youth engagements in tourism promotions
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas is stepping up its effort to promote the region's tourism industry through one, engaging the youth sector.
DOT Region 6 and Provincial Government of Negros Occidental in partnership with the cities of Bacolod, San Carlos, Bago, Victorias, Sagay and Talisay are hosting the fiveday Future Tourism Leaders (FTL) Camp which opened on Sunday, May 19.
Tourism Assistant Secretary Ma. Rica Bueno along with Dot-western Visayas Regional Director Helen Catalbas and Negros Occidental Provincial Supervising Tourism Operations Officer Cristine Mansinares led the opening program at the Provincial Capitol’s Social Hall in Bacolod City.
Mansinares said 41 young leaders representing the six provinces and two highly-urbanized cities in Western Visayas were gathered for the camp being held in Negros Occidental.
Mansinares said the FTL Camp aims to create awareness among the youth and encourage them to participate in the promotion and development of the tourism industry in the region.
“The young leaders will be equipped with skills vital to the tourism sector,” she said, adding that resource persons will talk on leadership, sustainable tourism, communication, writing, and maximizing the social media platform.
During the activity, the campers will visit immersion sites in the province with best practices on community-based tourism, sustainable ecotourism, and cultural resource management.
These sites are situated in cities of San Carlos, Sagay, Victorias, Silay, Talisay, Bago, and Manapla town.
A session on policy and advocacy will be conducted enabling participants to craft a youth tourism legislative agenda for the region based on their learnings and experiences they got from the camp.
Also, the participants will be formed as an organization and will be mobilized in the planning and implementation of tourism programs, projects, and activities in their respective communities.
Exhibit of their outputs during the camp will also be showcased online in various government centers in the region.*