Competitor of Boracay

'Guimaras best competitor of Boracay'

This island province in Western Visayas has been considered to have the same potentials of world famous island resort of Boracay in Aklan.

This was the assessment of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG-6) regional director Evelyn Trompeta.

Trompeta told an executive briefing with assistant secretary Raul Banias, the presidential assistant for Panay and Guimaras and some 40 regional directors last November 2007 that Western Visayas has been positioned as tourism haven in the country.

“Guimaras is the best competitor of Boracay. While Iloilo is an economic hub, the proximity of Guimaras has very best potentials for tourism,” said Trompeta.

What makes Guimaras the next tourism destination?

Trompeta explained there are three things to consider: peace and order situation, local governance and agri-tourism master plan.

“Guimaras’ peace and order program has been awarded among the best implemented. The province has also a politically healthy environment—there is a positively healthy relation between the executive and legislative—the opposition is very negligible, there’s no political bickering. And the agri-tourism master plan is in place,” she pointed out.

Trompeta added the island’s tourism plan has been drafted with the support of Department of Tourism (DOT) and Canadian Urban Institute.

“Guimaras is the only province in the region that has come up with its provincial economic and development office which focuses more on tourism development. Heritage tourism is also one of the best potentials,” she said.

The DILG chief said they will conduct an alliance building to create a team for Guimaras not only in terms of politics but for five municipalities to complement for the development.

Meanwhile, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-6) regional director Lormelyn Claudio said they will establish at least five eco-tourism sites in the island.

Claudio added they have coordinated with Western Visayas Caving Association and National Museum to assess the potentials of caves and lay down the resources management.

The Guimaras tourism industry has been assessed to be more than just its beaches struck by the August 11, 2006 oil spill. Earlier, DOT-6 regional director Edwin Trompeta said there’s more Guimaras can offer to tourists coming over.

“Guimaras is not only dependent on beaches. It also has its own eco-and-agri-tourism sites, adventure parks, caving tours, mangoes and more scenic attractions,” he said.

source: http://thedailyguardian.com/