DOT conducts visitor surveys in Palawan

THE DEPARTMENT of Tourism (DOT) said it is set to conduct visitor surveys in tourist destinations in Palawan and this includes Puerto Princesa Cuty, Coron and El Nido to update their profile details in Occidental and Oriental Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan.

Rutchel Alcantara of the Provincial Tourism Promotions and Development Office (PTPDO) said they would focus on doing Accommodation Establishment Visitor Survey, Tourist Attraction Visitor Survey and Departure Points Visitor Survey.

“These surveys will help in the planning of tourism activities, projects, and programs to further develop the tourism industry in the province and the region,” she said, adding, the surveys will specifically determine the profiles of visitors, their travel characteristics, and the effects of tourism to the economies of both towns.

“They will help in making plans and programs for tourism. Through these surveys, we will be able to see how they are contributing to local economies. We will get the lengths of stay of the tourists, what their expenses are, and what we call revenue of tourism receipts,” she added.

She said when the surveys have been collated, the DOT and the province would be able to plan appropriate activity programs for the tourists. “Through the surveys, we will be able to upgrade the services we provide and we will be able to bridge any gap we would see,” Alcantara said.

In Puerto Princesa, surveys will be carried out in the Underground River in the villages of Cabayugan; Honda Bay in Santa Lourdes, and Crocodile Farm in Irawan. In El Nido, in Bacuit Bay and Nacpan Beach; and in Kayangan Lake, Coron Island, and Maquinit Hotspring in Coron.

And also Departure Points Visitor Survey will be done at the Puerto Princesa International Airport, Lio Airport in El Nido, and Francisco B. Reyes Airport and Coron Seaport in Coron town. Students of the Palawan State University (PSU) will participate as enumerators.