Guimaras strengthens CBRT program
With the changing trend in the tourism industry, the provincial government of Guimaras is now working in building up its community-based rural tourism program (CBRT) in order to link in the competitive tourism market. Tourism is one of the priority economic development thrusts of the province.
Gov. Felipe Nava said there is now a shift in the tourism trend from fast-paced to slow-paced. Most of the tour operators offer tour packages which only allow tourists to spend less time in the tourist destinations. More often they can only take pictures.
The new development in the aggressive tourism industry prompted the provincial government in creating a new scheme which brings economic opportunity to the locals and maintaining a quality tourism experience in the province.
Nava said the CBRT program is patterned in the new concept in tourism industry which permit tourists to experience the life and culture of people tourism site. There are tourists who want to get involved in the community and learn its culture. The governor who also travels outside the country made such observation on the new trend in tourism industry.
In the CBRT, the community is the ones directly benefiting from the influx of tourists. It will provide the locals a livelihood by promoting their products at the time giving them the responsibility to ensure and protection of the environment, said Nava.
Nava said the implementation of the CBRT is one way of improving the economy of a barangay. The development should start in the barangay level because it is the anchor of the tourism. If there are one or two major resorts or investments which could trigger the influx of tourists in Guimaras, the satellite areas which must be visited are the CBRTs.
Nava said they want to limit the number of CBRTs in the province. The CBRTs which are already in place are in Barangays Hoskyn in Jordan, Salvacion, Guisi and Lanipe all in Nueva Valencia and Sapal in San Lorenzo. There are eight identified CBRTs in the province.
In Barangay Hoskyn, the locals are into miniature sailboat making while barangay folks in Salvacion is promoting their forest products. Guisi is into community-based heritage tourism. It is ideal for community immersion. The Guisi Lighthouse built by Spaniards in 1896 is one of the must see in the barangay.
In Lanipe, they have a ritual known as “Pangasi.” It is a pagan-like celebration giving thanks for the “powers that be” for their good harvest. Lanipe is a rice growing community and produces various delicacies out of rice, said Nava.
The governor said they are ready to extend assistance to barangays interested in establishing their own CBRT.