PTO Spearheads Batangas Tourism Development Planning

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It was a day of fruitful conversations for a good cause — the betterment of the Batangas tourism. The two-day Consultation-Workshop for the Preparation of Batangas Province Tourism Development Plan for 2011-2016 started today, March 30 at Noni’s Mountain Resort, Brgy. Pingas in Alitagtag.

Tourism officers and representatives from various towns around the province together with the people from the Provincial Government gathered together for this very important consultation-workshop for long-term plans on the development of Batangas Tourism. There were representatives from Taal, Malvar, Taysan, Alitagtag, Lian, Balete, San Luis, San Pascual, Mataasnakahoy, Calaca, Sto. Tomas, Tanauan, Bauan, Ibaan, San Jose, Mabini, Agoncillo, Talisay, San Nicolas, and Cuenca.

This event collates the efforts and contributions from different sectors of Batangas — tourism officers and representatives of LGUs in the province, PNP Batangas, and representives from the academe (Batangas State University and Lyceum of the Philippines University – Batangas).

From the Provincial Government

Mr. Meynard Melo, OIC of the Provincial Planning and Development Council, shared an interesting notion: “Kung hindi kabahagi ang mga tao sa pag-ukit ng plano, hindi natin maaasahang makibahagi at sumuporta ang mga tao”. True. And through this planning activity, the Provincial Government, particularly the Provincial Tourism Office, will have the chance to gather specific ideas from each represented municipalities on how to develop the tourism potential of their respective areas.

Ms. Chona Andal, Administrative Officer V of the Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office, gave out the background on the formulation of Batangas Province Tourism Development Plan for 2011-2016. Ms. Chona also shared figures from the Department of Tourism that in 2010, there were 3.52 million international tourists and 22.8 million domestic tourists who explored the Philippines with 349 million jobs created from the tourism industry.

From PNP Batangas

From PNP Batangas, Major Sergio Manacop informed everyone that Batangas is generally peaceful – that it’s safe to live, invest, and do business here. The Police Provincial Security Company coordinates with the LGUs and tourism officers of the municipalities to make sure that there is safety and security during events held in every town of the province.

According to Major Manacop, foreign tourists take into consideration that the destinations they want to visit are accredited by the DOT to ensure their safety. He further shared that tourism development of the whole province calls for a “concerted effort” of all sectors involved.

From the Academe

Ms. Elisa Diaz, Dean of College of Accountancy, Business Economics and International Hospitality Management of Batangas State University, presented the programs and projects they have done in the university to help promote the tourism of the province. Apart from that, Ms. Diaz presented some research studies done by the college which they deem are important for the improvement of the provincial tourism.

One of the presented research studies is the “Roles and Responsibilities of Travel Agencies in Tourism Industry”which reflected some limitations in terms of service offerings. The study shows that travel agencies are more focused on promotional activities and public relations rather than their services. The study recommends more promotional campaigns to local and international market through the internet.

Consultation-Workshop of Tourism Officers/Representatives

The participants were divided into four groups after the SWOT Analysis done by Mr. Meynard Melo. The workshop focuses on the presented strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of/for the Batangas tourism. The outputs were presented after Vice Governor Mark Leviste delivered his message. Furthermore, Mr. Jun Dijan, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Governor and HEARTS Program Director, gave his remarks on the workshop outputs and informed everyone of the upcoming developments from the Provincial Government.