What's On in Siquijor

International Tour Operator Visits Siquijor

A Sydney and HongKong based Tour Operator was in Siquijor yesterday (Feb. 23, 2005) to assess the readiness of the province to absorb more tourism traffic. The verdict was that we still need to do a lot of things in the areas of infrastructure and tourism services. Infrastructure would mean more and better transportation facilities and improving the accessibility of Siquijor's nature based tourism sites. Tourism services can be more restaurants, entertainment and even a shopping area or a pasalubong center. Siquijor needs to come up with more activities for tourists outside of the resorts so that the local community can also benefit from tourist spending.

At present tourists just stay and enjoy within the walls of the various resorts dotting the island because there is nothing much to do outside. If they are attracted to go around the island e.g. eat outside of the resorts, buy local crafts, avail of local services like a massage, enjoy some night entertainment, etc. then their spending can have a huge multiplier effect on the local economy.

Ms. Suzanna Lao further said that the main market for the island would be tourists who are in search of peace and relaxation. This is a select market niche and would be appropriate to our current carrying capacity. There is a lot of potential though and the opportunities can be availed of as soon as we increase investment spending especially in the number of rooms. For Saladoong, the potential is for the business meetings and conventions market. But then again we need more investments and to raise current standards to meet international requirements.

Ms. Lao was visiting Negros Oriental for a similar assessment and was invited over to the island by the DTI and Coco Grove. She was accompanied on her lightning tour of the island by Fr. Salac. International tour operators are now on the lookout for alternative tourist destinations in light of the devastation brought about by the tsunami.

posted by Nannette @ 1:16 AM