DOT set to promote Mountain Province for indigenous tourism

By Dexter A. See

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The Dept. of Tourism will aggressively promote Mountain Province as destination for cultural tourism in recognition of the rich culture, tradition and heritage preserved over the decades.

Tourism Undersecretary Falcony Millar told officials and local folks about this saying scenic tourist spots and low-cost leisure experiences are not sufficient to attract visitors but what is important is the “emotion that goes with the industry which is found in the province’s rich culture and traditions.”

Millar, who was given the name “Farnatan’ or a team leader by provincial officials and folks said, “Mountain Province has been identified as a potential ecotourism and cultural tourism destination because of its existing natural scenic tourist spots and the presence of its rich culture and traditions that remain unblemished.”

The DOT official said province must maximize its tourism potential by enticing more local and foreign visitors who will be instrumental in spurring economic growth in the countryside.

He commended the indigenous peoples of the province for preserving and protecting their rich culture and traditions that now serve as one of the major tourist attractions being patronized by nature-lovers and visitors who appreciate the beauty of culture.

Millar said the tourism department was able to feature the Cordillera in one of its major promotional activities in Pasay City last month and the agency will continue to support the promotion of tourist destinations to achieve the government’s goal of enticing more local and foreign visitors to go around the beautiful spots in the country.

According to him, as one of the adopted sons of Mountain Province, he will remain committed to the aggressive promotion of the tourist spots in the province in both the national and international scenes so that people will include in their desired destination the province as their priority destination over and above other areas in the different parts of the archipelago.

Aside from the famous Sagada caves, Maligcong rice terraces and Mainit hot springs, Mountain Province is known for its towering and majestic mountains, various waterfalls and river systems among other picturesque destinations in it 10 municipalities.

Millar said the country’s tourism industry remains vibrant following the mileage that the country was able to get with the hosting of the 2016 Miss Universe beauty pageant that is why the country’s tourist destinations will reap the fruits of such exposure in the future.

Gov. Bonifacio Lacwasan, Jr. expressed his gratitude to Millar for his assurance that Mountain Province will be included in the aggressive promotion of various tourist destinations in the country.

He said implementation of major infrastructure province over the past several years made tourist areas accessible for local and foreign visitors wanting to visit additional destinations in the different parts of the region in the future.