PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF OFFICE:

An office focusing on the four thematic areas of DRRM; such as Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, Disaster Preparedness, Disaster Response and Disaster Rehabilitation in achieving the objective of reducing risk as well as addressing the pre-existing risks in the province to promote a safer, adaptive and disaster resilient Filipino communities.

PROVINCIAL TOURISM OFFICE – DESCRIPTION

The Provincial Tourism Office is tasked to sustainably promote tourism in Camiguin and serves as the marketing arm of the provincial government. The Tourism Office shall optimize the contribution of tourism to the local economy and harness tourism as a tool for cultural awareness with developed and enhanced tourist attractions, a well-preserved environment, improved accessibility, quality facilities and services, and a strategic marketing campaign targeting both local and foreign visitors.

MANDATE:

Promote tourism and cultural affairs projects, encourage investors to make Camiguin a new home for their investments, recommend and implement ordinances in promoting Camiguin, and maintaining a sustainable tourism development in the province.

FUNCTIONAL STATEMENT:

Promote tourism and cultural affairs projects geared towards development and preservation of positive values, attitude, pride and appreciation of our own culture, such as archival presentation, landmarks, century trees and building (churches and houses).
Recommend ordinances, as necessary, to carry out the promotion of a sustainable tourism development in the province.
Recommend emerging and potential tourist spots in the province as priority in developing our tourist destinations.
To gather data on tourist arrivals, room occupancy rate in all resorts and other statistical data as basis of reference in formulating policies for future decision making.
Encourage investors to make Camiguin a new home for their investments.
To implement general environmental development guidelines for tourism development, especially in carrying capacities, setback requirements, environmental protection, use of indigenous materials and local crafts designs, home stay packages, ancestral homes and cutting of century-old trees etc.
To establish a very close coordination and monitoring program among implementing line agencies especially with regards to the infrastructure support to tourism.
To establish close coordination among Operators of all tourism-related establishments with regards to tourism projects and activities.
Coordinate the economic enterprise development for income generating ventures.
To assist the Governor in the development of tourism in the province.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide technical and staff services to the Local Chief Executive and other officials for the preparation, formulation, and implementation of the tourism development in the province.
To provide for an effective coordination of the five municipalities and the Department of Tourism to determine their respective plans and programs on tourism in the province.
To maintain Camiguin’s role as the leading tourist destination for Northern Mindanao. Integrate all tourism development projects intended to accelerate the development of the province as a major tourist destination.

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1.PREPAREDNESS PROGRAM - CONDUCT TRAININGS ON BASIC LIFE SUPPORT, STANDARD FIRST AID AND WATER SEARCH AND RESCUE

These trainings are a vital life skill that provides the responders with the basic knowledge, attitude and skills in dealing with medical emergencies.

BOOSTING THE TOURISM INDUSTRY IN THE PROVINCE

MANTIGUE ISLAND COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT PLAN

Mantigue Island Nature Park was established in September 2009 pursuant to Mahinog Municipal Ordinance No. 2009-117. Prior to this, selected areas of Barangay San Roque and Magsaysay Island were identified as Marine Protected Areas by virtue of Municipal Ordinance No. 2000-054. These early initiatives paved the way for the current and future generations to enjoy the island’s terrestrial and aquatic resources.

However, increasing tourist demand and unsustainable activities in recent years threaten Mantigue Island’s natural capital, which are the very same assets that make the island unique and appealing to tourists and visitors. With the aim to maximize the use of its inherent natural resources, enhancing its tourism products and activities, and ensuring the sustainability of the island for the benefit of its communities and stakeholders, the Mantigue Island Comprehensive Development Plan shall provide the Province of Camiguin with sustainable strategies and inclusive approaches on how to maximize economic benefits from tourism, while protecting the island’s ecosystem from environmental degradation.

In particular, the Mantigue Island Comprehensive Development Plan shall build on the past initiatives and efforts among various stakeholders, redevelop/repurpose areas and facilities to minimize additional environmental impact, construct necessary support infrastructure and facilities, provide value-adding services, and remove detrimental factors to further pursue sustainability.

Mantigue Island Nature Park Conceptual Layout

2. IMPLEMENTATION OF COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Continuous monitoring and verification process of documents are still present upon entry/exit in each port of entry in the province.

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NEW CAMIGUIN BRAND

The Provincial Government of Camiguin through the Provincial Tourism Office has launched a new tourism campaign, the “Camiguin Isle Be There”, last March 17, 2023, to welcome tourists with a fresh start from the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to entice tourists and make them want to come to Camiguin. The word “isle” was used to replace “I’ll” to distinctly identify that Camiguin is an island. Along with the launch of the said brand, the province also opened its brand new arrival building in Benoni Port, with its new QR scanning kiosks for a smooth QR scanning system.

During the pandemic, the province improved its destinations and vigorously implemented projects to provide a convenient, seamless, and more unforgettable island experience for tourists. Among the major tourism projects that were put in place in order to meet this goal, the province launched the Camiguin Tourism Pivot and Transformation Plan to help meet the needs of organizations, groups, and industries severely affected by the pandemic, the Mantigue Island Development Plan, and the E-ticketing system that will digitalize the bookings and payment of tourists who will visit the tourist sites.

By the new tourism brand, the goal of the province is to enhance tourist’s experience, reach the pre-pandemic level of 800,000 tourist arrivals, and to breach one million by the year 2025.

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3. PROCUREMENT OF AMBULANCE AND RESCUE EQUIPMENT

LANZONES FESTIVAL

Camiguin Lanzones Festival is an annual celebration held every 3rd or 4th week of October. It is a celebration of hope and thanksgiving for the blessings that Camiguin has received over the past years and for the abundant harvest of the sweet Lanzones. Among the highlights of the celebration are the Lanzones Festival Grand Parade, Mutya sa Buahanan beauty pageant, Street Dancing and Ground Presentation Competitions, Kalanrakas sa Kabataan Competition, Inter-Agency Opening Salvo presentation, and the Lanzones Eat All You Can.