Guimaras sees gains from community tourism projects
The province of Guimaras is optimistic its community-based rural tourism livelihood program will help boost its tourism industry and economy.
Guimaras Gov. Felipe Hilan Nava said that community-based rural tourism projects have been established all over the island-province.
These CBRT projects will definitely increase the income of the community and its residents, the governor said.
Nava said that among the CBRT projects is the eco-park village in Dagsa-an, Buenavista.
The eco-park village is ideal for mountain trekking, target shooting, organic gardening and rappelling and its owners hope to lure foreign sports enthusiasts.
Residents act as tour guides and many of them were also trained in culinary arts and food processing.
Another CBRT project is in Sapal village, San Lorenzo town, a community known for its mat weaving industry. The village also produces woven bags, slippers, hats and cellphone holders using indigenous materials.
These woven products are being marketed by small and medium enterprises in Manila and Cebu.
In Brgy. Rizal, Buenavista, the region’s yacht and galleon industry center, residents have been trained in sculpting and designing old-school galleon ship souvenirs made of driftwood and other indigenous materials.
The provincial government is looking into the export potentials of these souvenir items, Nava said.
Nava said the local governments in Guimaras are currently expanding their CBRT projects.
He said he hopes that all the five municipalities will fully develop these local industries using the funding and other support it receives from the provincial government.*PNA
