Thursday, December 04, 2008 Benguet's agro-tourism ace to attract Asian visitors
BENGUET could get a share in the influx of Asian visitors by maximizing the natural wonders of the province.
As the country is being promoted as the "destination of choice in Asia," the Department of Tourism (DOT) is emphasizing travel and adventure as among the added come-ons for local and foreign visitors.
Benguet's mountainous topography and booming agro-tourism industry are good draws under the tourism department's initiative, said Trade Regional Director Purificacion Molintas.
"Since Benguet is highly agricultural, agro-tourism is a good destination choice. The mountainous topography as well is a good market for adventure," Molintas said.
The DOT is eyeing a share in the 600-700 million Asian tourists who are expected to travel around the globe in the next five years.
Small entrepreneurs in the region are awaiting financial grants from the DOT, which they would use in their businesses aimed at promoting eco-tourism in their respective places.
The tourism department would be giving out P50,000 to P100,000 to qualified micro and small enterprises in various provinces all over the country, as its way of helping alleviate the economic conditions of the people living in tourism destinations.
Asian visitors have become the target market of the country's tourism sector. (JC)
