We Have Been Challenged!

It has been over a week since the North Bukidnon Chamber invited the Regional Director of the Department of Tourism - 10, CATALINO E. CHAN III, to present the state of tourism in Bukidnon.

He mentioned points I already knew about, like our brand of hilot is famous all over the Philippines; and the Kaamulan Park is the most serene place in Malaybalay, where one can commune with nature; and that Bukidnon has the most ideal climate and has been judged the CLEANEST PROVINCE in the whole country. He was proud to say that the municipality of Maramag spent almost P10 million in promoting the 132 natural springs found there. He praised the developers of the Longest Zipline in Asia, located in Dahilayan, Manolo Fortich.

However, he also mentioned some negative facts, which I also knew about. He said there are no accredited tour guides, only a few accredited travel agencies, almost nil promotions for local tours and only a few good hotels in the whole province. In Manolo Fortich, he was sad to say, there was absolutely none of these accredited tourist facilities. And... Bukidnon has the lowest tourist arrival in the Philippines.

Why?

Is it because our government doesn't know that tourism brings in revenues? Is it because our politicians are so intent with their politics that they would rather spend on campaign materials and public appearances than making the citizens proud of themselves and their province? Or is it because "tourism destroys the environment"? Eh, come again?

This was our predicament back in 2004, when Ed and I decided to change career, from agriculture (though we still have a farm) to tourism. There was a new mayor in town and the first thing she did was scrap the tourism accomplishments and projects of the previous one. The reason she gave for cancelling the annual 4x4 Off-Road Competition in Mangima was because the event was causing massive erosion on the hillside. Hello? The event lasts 3 days every year, and nothing is altered -- no trees are cut, no grass removed. The organizers DO place a tarpaulin matting on the deep places to catch water as part of the obstacle route. For 3 days, the grass underneath cannot breathe and subsequently dies. Is this what she meant?

If she hadn't done that, I believe Manolo Fortich would have developed much faster.

Director Chan challenged us by giving an example. In Camiguin, his home province, all accredited resorts are organized into one association. They have what they call a Bed Tax. For every bed booked for the night, the resort will pay the association P10. This encourages the association to promote its member resorts and help develop teamwork and camaraderie among the resort owners. "Do Not Compete... Instead, Compliment."

As for us, we are almost there. There is just one tiny technicality which we have to overcome for La Montaña Tours & Vans to be accredited. One tiny factor which will make us the FIRST travel agency of Manolo Fortich.

Pray that it gets done this week. It will make a wonderful Christmas gift!