BORONGAN CITY, October 17, 2017–The Provincial Government is on track in its efforts to have a vibrant tourism industry.

A planning workshop was held last week in order to come up with a tourism roadmap for the province.

Acting Governor Marcelo Picardal said that the masterplan will set the direction the province will take in tourism development.

He said that it is long overdue but hopefully it can still be incorporated in the national tourism roadmap so that we can avail of funds from the national government.

“Tourism should be an economic driver. It is not simply places to visit, but it should be able to provide livelihood opportunities for our people” the acting governor said.

The province is divided into 5 clusters comprising the tourism circuit. During the workshop, the clusters were able to come up with their visions and strategic goals and objectives on how to promote their tourist destinations.

Picardal said that the provincial government will support tourism initiatives.

The municipalities that were represented during the workshop will receive P1M from the 20% Economic Development Fund, to jumpstart their tourism development and promotion activities.

The workshop was attended by mayors, planning and tourism officers and partners from the private sector.

A group of consultants have been tapped to help in the formulation of the roadmap.

A tourism fair and exhibit will be held in November during the founding anniversary of the Eastern Samar and the acting governor challenged the different clusters to come up with creative tourism promotion activities and materials since there will be visitors coming.

He said that a group of foreign product managers will be here to see and evaluate the tourism destinations in the province.

Meanwhile, Picardal said that there is a big possibility of an airline flying the Clark- Borongan route starting next year. (Eden Cidro/Este News)