Mindanao key tourism destination; safe travel measures in place

MANILA – The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) on Sunday assured that actions are in spot to make certain that places in the southern portion of the nation are secure for holidaymakers, noting that Mindanao is a essential tourism place included in its promotion pursuits in the previous several decades.

“The Mindanao area is a harmless tourism vacation spot with peace talks frequently remaining finished in the location, navy, countrywide and regional legislation enforcement are performing its very best to keep our destinations safe, and local governing administration models are also operating with NGOs (non-govt organizations) and intercontinental businesses to make their places a lot more sustainable and inclusive,” TPB Main Operating Officer Maria Anthonette Velasco-Allones said.

Mindanao is host to equally-beautiful places this kind of as the beach locations in Davao, the sand bars and waterfalls in Camiguin, and adventure hubs in Cagayan de Oro to title a number of, she included.

“We have other astounding destinations in Mindanao, in point, we are supporting Philippine Airlines’ inaugural flight from Cotabato to Tawi-Tawi on June 9,” she reported.

She extra: “Other places are nevertheless being vetted for compliance with wellbeing and basic safety protocols as we increase toward a safer, more sustainable and a lot more inclusive tourism desired destination.”

Neighborhood governments in Mindanao, their respective tourism officers, the Office of Tourism’s regional places of work alongside one another with the military are “doing their very best” to make be certain tourists are presented necessary logistical guidance when touring to the region, Velasco-Allones reported.

She reminded the public to refrain from earning remarks that generalize the entire Mindanao.

Journalist Raissa Robles drew flak around her recent tweet declaring that Tourism Secretary-designate Christina Frasco’s assertion on opening up Mindanao to tourism would “be sure to” the extremist Abu Sayyaf team with the prospect of “a lot of possible kidnap victims.”

On June 2, Robles tweeted: “Apparently, Frasco would like to open up up Mindanao to tourism. I’m guaranteed the extremist Abu Sayyaf and other bandits would be delighted by the potential clients of so a lot of potential kidnap victims. Way to go, Frasco. Prep for ransom negotiations.”

Vice President-elect Sara Z. Duterte, a Mindanao indigenous, on Saturday night lambasted Robles for demonizing Mindanao and insulting its men and women. (PNA)