Setting up an opportunity to support prospective barangays in establishing their tourism development programs, the Tabuk City Tourism Office spearheaded “Kumustahang Turismo sa Barangay,” to create awareness in the grassroots level.
According to City Tourism Officer Arlene Ethel Odiem, said initiative is a unique scheme employed only by the Tabuk LGU.
The project along with two other programs are being proposed as entries for the ATOP Pearl Award this year.
Initiated last March 2015, the project covers 17 barangays of Tabuk City identified for the presence of potential tourism sites and festivals in their localities.
Assigned point persons from the city tourism office will be visiting said barangays to facilitate the organization of their Barangay Tourism Council and conceptualize their tourism development plans.
“This scheme caters to the enhancement of the barangay tourism council’s capabilities to promote their own tourism products which range from tour guiding services, product development, accommodation, security, coordination, revenue generation among others.
To realize this, the barangays undergo several skills training and seminars for the community to take the responsibility of managing their own tourism programs.
Initial training would include a workshop on the identification of the strength, weaknesses, opportunity and threats affecting the local industry and Festival Management Seminar for those planning to hold an annual festival as one local attraction.
Odiem said that linkages through the council should also be established to ensure smooth operation and close coordination among key stakeholders of the industry.
The CTO would conduct regular monitoring and evaluation of the barangays to ensure the progress of their tourism plans. **Geraldine B. Gacuya/City Information Office)
