LA UNION JOINS SUSTAINABLE TOURISM GOALS
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza | Photo By: GPC-PIO | Date: April 7, 2019
Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Martin S. Valera gives an overview on Sustainable Tourism and discusses the importance of tourism planning during the Orientation on Sustainable Tourism conducted by the DOT – Region 1 on April 24, 2019 at Hotel Ariana, Paringao, Bauang, La Union.
La Union delegates discuss and prepare their workshop outputs during the Orientation on Sustainable Tourism conducted by the Department of Tourism – Region 1 on April 24, 2019 at Hotel Ariana, Paringao, Bauang, La Union.
To capacitate and expand the proficiency of tourism stakeholders, 14 Local Government Units (LGUs) of the Province of La Union, through their Tourism Officers attended the Orientation on Sustainable Tourism conducted by the Department of Tourism – Region 1 (DOT-RO1) on April 24, 2019 at Hotel Ariana, Paringao, Bauang, La Union.
LGUs of Aringay, Naguilian, San Gabriel, Burgos, Caba, San Juan, Agoo, City of San Fernando, Bacnotan, Balaoan, Bangar, Bauang, Luna and Pugo had their representatives in the orientation. The seminar is designed to capacitate LGUs with the importance of promoting tourism anchored on respecting local people, travelers, cultural heritage, and the environment.
Participants were from the different City and Municipal LGUs in Region 1. DOT Regional Director Martin S. Valera graced the program and gave an overview on Sustainable Tourism and the importance of tourism planning. He gave an overview on tourism. He also discussed pertinent information on tourism such as the declaration of tourism policy, caveats of tourism as a tool for development and many more.
The Extra Mile Productions Producer and Director Pablo Gabriel R. Malvar talked about the Principles of Sustainable Tourism and promoting and branding local destinations and tourism assets strategically without sacrificing their value.
Throughout the seminar, participants underwent mini-workshops conducted after a series of video presentations and film viewing showcasing videos of tourism destinations in the country.
The La Union delegates were grouped into five tourism circuits: Northern, Central, Central Eastern, Southern and South Eastern Tourism Circuit while delegates from Pangasinan and Ilocos Sur were also grouped separately. Each group presented their significant tourism products and destinations and the policies and principles governing these tourism assets.
Moreover, the LGUs refined the vision and goals of their respective tourism area. They also prepared the investment program and formulated their action plan and monitoring and evaluation strategy. The seminar was the first batch of the three runs which will be implemented by the DOT-RO1 during the second quarter of CY 2019.
Increasing tourism awareness, particularly on sustainable development is one of advocacies of the Province of La Union for its people. Now, the challenge to these LGUs and future tourism practitioners in La Union is to put tourism in their hearts so they will be advocates as well. As advocates, they should really have the passion to help the industry particularly in achieving the province’s vision to be the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025.
