LU TOURISM ESTABLISHMENTS OBLIGED TO SUBMIT TOURIST STATISTICS DATA
By: Jiroh Joy D. Marbella | Photo By: GPC- SP | Date: December 27, 2018
As more and more local and international tourists flock to the growing list of tourism sites in La Union, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) of La Union approved on third and final reading of Ordinance No. 158-2018 regulating the operation of tourism entities during their 129th Regular Session on December 27, 2018 at the Speaker Pro-Tempore Francisco I. Ortega Provincial Legislative Building and Session Hall, Provincial Capitol, City of San Fernando, La Union.
The passage of the said ordinance, introduced by SPM Christian I. Rivera co-authored by all SP Members, further proves that the province is becoming one of the top tourist destinations not only in Northern Luzon, but in the whole country.
The ordinance mandates that all tourism entities are required to submit monthly tourist statistics data report to the Provincial Tourism Office and to the Tourism office of the local government unit where their establishment is located. The monthly tourist statistics data report will then serve as one of the requirements for the mandatory accreditation conducted by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
The ordinance likewise provides that no business establishment in the Province of La Union shall operate as tourism entity without securing the necessary business permit or license issued by the office of the Local Chief Executive together with the accreditation secured from the DOT.
Tourist establishments are required to float the Visitor Arrival Survey forms to their clients which will ensure a concise and comprehensive collection of data which will help DOT and the Provincial Tourism Office in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of each tourism sector in the province.
Likewise, data collected on the surveys will be used as basis for determining and evaluating the economic impact and viability of tourism programs, events, celebrations and activities as well as continuous conduct of tourism education and seminars to front desk officers and staff of all various hotels, pension and lodging houses in the province.
Any person or establishment which fails to submit their regular monthly report will be penalized with a fine of P2,500.00 for the first offense, P3,500.00 for the second offense, and P5,000.00 for the third and succeeding offenses.
This ordinance shall take effect in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Code of 1991.
With this legislative measure, the SP believes that this will be a big boost to the vision of the present Provincial Government of La Union to make La Union the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025.
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