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Official Publication of the Philippine Information Agency Bicol Regional Office, in cooperation with the RIAC-REDIRAS - RDC Bicol



Thursday, November 26, 2015

PATA lauds Albay ecotourism initiatives

By Sally Atento-Altea

LEGAZPI CITY, Nov 26 (PIA) – Pacific Asia Travel Association CEO Mario Hardy lauded the province of Albay for pushing initiatives in ecotourism noting its promising future as a tourism destination in the Pacific Asia.

 “Albay as a tourism destination has a promising future. It has a lot to offer in terms of nature, culture and adventure. Albay has tremendous potential; I can see a very good future for the tourism industry here in your province,” Hardy said during the media briefing for the PATA Forum at the Oriental Hotel yesterday.

Albay teamed up with the Department of Toursim (DOT) in hosting the PATA New Tourism Frontiers Forum 2015 slated November 25-27 themed “Ecoturism-Transcending Climate Change”.

Hardy cited Albay’s warm hospitality and generosity in hosting the event bringing together 561 registered foreign delegates, with target set at 168, from all corners of the world, including Canada, Guam, Hong Kong, Kenya, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom.

“This event brings together tourism professionals from both the public and private sector to share their insights and experiences on tourism, and how impacts and is affected by climate change with the aim of ensuring the responsible growth and development of travel and tourism in a sustainable manner,” he said.

Hardy urges the provincial government to sustain its efforts in stepping up eco tourism industry particularly in setting up of infrastructures such as airports that would offer direct flights to intensify destinations connectivity.

He noted that “everything in Albay is green” which must be sustained and protected amidst the expected influx of tourists.

The choice of Albay as the venue for summit also reflects PATA’s primary advocacy issue of dispersing tourists to lesser-known yet attractive corners of the world.

“Albay is one such destination and was recognized as such, having recently been awarded the PATA CEO Challenge 2015 Top Destination in the category of Regions/States/Provinces. As the winner, TripAdvisor will now work with the Provincial Government of Albay to help showcase the fantastic tourism offerings of this province to their global audience,” Hardy said.

Hardy added TripAdvisor has donated half a million dollar to Albay for digital marketing campaigns to showcase their destination to a global audience.

The PATA Tourism Forum also features engaging and entertaining activities for the delegates such as the Technical Tour and Tourism Marketing Treasure Hunt complemented by the conference session on Interactive Marketing on Friday.

“Through our event, we have also developed an exciting programme tomorrow that will provide our delegates a taste of what Albay has to offer today’s travelers,” Hardy added.

 Some 21 dynamic speakers from organizations such as E-Tourism Frontiers, Green Fins/Reef-World Foundation, Guam Visitors Bureau, Japan Tourism Marketing Co., Jetwing Hotels Ltd., Khiri Travel Group, SpiceRoads Cycle Tours, TripAdvisor, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNISDR) and WWF International will likewise discuss critical issues that the world is facing today. (MAL/SAA-PIA5/Albay)

- See more at: http://news.pia.gov.ph/article/view/2571448516065/pata-lauds-albay-ecotourism-initiatives#sthash.u6TYU94A.dpuf

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