E. Visayas destinations told to brace for summer tourists

TACLOBAN CITY, Feb. 8 (PNA) -- Eastern Visayas' regional tourism office has enjoined local governments to prepare their destinations for the influx of tourists this summer by ensuring cleanliness and quality of service.

The office's director, Karina Rosa Tiopes, said the media exposure the Philippines has gained from its hosting of the Miss Universe pageant is expected to draw more tourists, not only in areas toured by the candidates, but other parts of the country as well.

“There is an ongoing assessment to check if destinations and nearby tourism-related establishments are prepared in terms of cleanliness, availability of rest rooms, quality of service and other things,” Tiopes said.

After the evaluation, the team from the tourism office will give its feedback to the local governments and other stakeholders to make improvements ahead of the peak months.

“Our central office is even anticipating more tourists because of the mileage that we got from the hosting of Miss Universe and good words of contestants and their families,” Tiopes said.

“They were well taken care of. It’s the kind of caring that makes the Philippines a worthwhile destination to visit. It will really benefit the region because of the mere fact that they’re looking at the Philippines.”

Miss Universe candidates visited at least seven top tourist destinations in the country as part of the activities for the international beauty pageant. These sites are in Davao, Batangas, Cebu, Baguio, Ilocos Sur, Aklan, and the National Capital Region.

“It’s not just about preparing for potential visitors to come in, but we really know people will be coming in because it’s already summer in two months’ time,” Tiopes explained.

Among the region’s popular destinations are Kalanggaman Island, the San Juanico Bridge, and the Leyte Landing Memorial in Leyte; Sambawan Island in Biliran; dive sites in Southern Leyte; Calicoan Island in Eastern Samar; the Sohoton Cave and Natural Park in Samar; and the Biri rock formations in Northern Samar.

Eastern Visayas remains relatively under the radar compared to other tourist destinations in the Philippines, but this has been slowly changing in the past years as demand for raw nature tourism grows, according to Tiopes.

An increasing number of people have been visiting the region recently in pursuit of rugged coasts and landscapes, secret caves and waterfalls, and fascinating histories. (PNA) CVL/Sarwell Q. Meniano with Felgin C. Silagan (OJT)