Tourism potentials

Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.

NINFA R. LEONARDIA Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ Editor CHERYL CRUZ Desk Editor PATRICK PANGILINAN Busines Editor NIDA A. BUENAFE Sports Editor RENE GENOVE Bureau Chief, Dumaguete MAJA P. DELY Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA Administrative Officer

One of the primary factors that gives credence to a locale’s productivity is its tourism potential. This is essentially true today, most especially since local government units have been encouraged to either promote their tourist spots to become veritable tourism destinations, or to make the tourism industry a throbbing, lucrative enterprise, at least in their area.

The holding of the Negros Oriental Tourism Summit, which coincides with the third Tourism Educators Congress as well as the World Tourism Week, starting tomorrow, augurs well for the province that is trying to find a niche in the domestic tourism map. More than anything else, the identity of the province vis-à-vis its being part of Region 7 (Central Visayas) and being located in the island of Negros, has to be clearly established in its tourism pitch.

Learning from the experiences of provinces that have been successful in their tourism promotions would do everyone well. To mention one sterling example, is how Camarines Sur – now known by its shorter, more enticing, more hip and trendy name, CamSur – became one of the most sought-after tourist destinations today, emerging a victor from its otherwise downtrodden existence of yesteryears? Closer to Negros Oriental is Bohol with its world-renowned eco-tourism adventures.

Surely, the efforts of these provinces and the success they are reaping today did not happen overnight. Perhaps, the greatest factor that had contributed to these inspiring stories is the investment on human capital or human resources, which usually gets relegated to the background when accountability happens. True enough, while other entities have been acknowledged widely, the so-called unsung heroes are left to fend for themselves.

It will not be long when these individuals will bring the tourism industry to greater heights by sheer hard work and, perhaps, a dash of luck. Recognizing the contribution of human resources brings to mind a forthcoming Tourism HRD Congress on the theme, “Building Tourism Human Capital for Global Competitiveness” to be held next month in Makati, Metro Manila.

There is no saturation as far as the tourism industry is concerned. Its possibilities are endless, it is for everyone’s taking.*