DAPITAN CITY, Zamboanga del Norte, May 25 (PNA) –- This city has now become one of
the destinations for Asian divers looking for pristine and equally breathtaking
underwater sanctuaries with the aggressive marketing and promotion strategies
of the city government under the stewardship of Mayor Rosalina Jalosjos.
Apple Marie Agolong, city tourism officer, on
Wednesday told the Philippines News Agency that this is evidenced by the influx
of local and foreign tourists visiting this city to explore the exquisiteness
of its sub-aquatic resources.
Agolong said that more than 100 diving enthusiasts and
underwater photographers from China and Hongkong have come to this city on the
first quarter of this year to discover for themselves the unexploited
underwater beauty and reserves of the place.
Agolong disclosed this significantly advances this
city’s opportunity in terms of promoting its tourism industry that consequently
benefits its people.
Moreover, Agolong said this scenario puts forward the
interest of the city government in improving and making active its economic
activities which locals can eventually take advantage of for increased income
and improved living condition.
“Yet, the question of sustainability remains a
challenge which by supplanting various strategic endeavors has gradually been
responded appropriately. This brings into view the concept of public-private
partnership that the city forged with the private sectors with the underlying
principle of having to deliver a service without having to actually undertake
the investment,” Agolong said.
She said it is on the aspect of marketing capability
that this city has engaged the alliance with the private sectors in the
institution of initiatives that makes operational the City Tourism Office’s
proposal of bringing its marketing and promotions program in the international
circle.
She added that with the select members of the city
tourism in collaboration with Dakak Park and Beach Resort’s Aqua Sports Center,
a representation to the Dive, Resort and Travel (DRT) expositions in Manila in
September 2015 and in Hongkong in December 2015 was realized.
She said the participation to the said event opened
the doors of this city to the international market inviting international
tourists and guests to experience its wonderful dive sites and make exciting
discoveries beneath its waters.
At the same time, the activity has provided
information about the unique Dapitanon culture and allowed foreign group
organizers and various travel agencies to make this city one of the destination
bookings of their clients.
Agolong said they are confident that with the
possession of numerous beautiful dive sites and rich aquatic resources and
Dakak Park and Beach Resort as its partner that serves as one tourist
destination offering exciting and fun activities for local and international
tourists and guests, both the city’s public and private sectors will achieve
its long term vision to ensure the sustainable development of the tourism
industry and its benefit.
Ian Chiong, an Asian diver from Hongkong, expressed
his amazing experience of diving, seeing beautiful and fantastic corals after
his stay in Dakak Park and Beach Resort for almost a week together with other
visiting Asian divers. (PNA)
LAP/TPGJR/Hirohito D. Cadion
LAP/TPGJR/Hirohito D. Cadion
