Tourism dept pushes for natural sites' preservation
05/08/2009 | 03:27 PM
MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ tourism department is pushing for the conservation of landscapes, rock formations, cultural and national heritage amid the influx of tourists.
This was announced by Tourism secretary Ace Durano the 9th Philippine Cave Congress this month in Samar, an event that he said will promote sustainable ecotourism.
“We are optimistic that this congress will promote sustainable ecotourism that will benefit the local community and provide long-term results, as well as bring about camaraderie among adventurers," he said.
More than 400 spelunking enthusiasts from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia are expected to attend the cave congress, he added.
Samar, one of the country’s largest islands, is home not only to the largest cave but also the largest karst formation in the Philippines.
The Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park at Basey, Samar, is filled with caves, limestone boulders, rockholes, weathered formation rocks, and underground rivers.
Sohoton has become the top attraction of the town of Basey as over 2,000 tourists, both local and foreign, went to the National Park in 2008.
The department supports these initiatives since these “would not only help showcase the natural beauty of the region, but more importantly, help preserve the natural attraction," Tourism regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes said. - GMANews.TV
This was announced by Tourism secretary Ace Durano the 9th Philippine Cave Congress this month in Samar, an event that he said will promote sustainable ecotourism.
“We are optimistic that this congress will promote sustainable ecotourism that will benefit the local community and provide long-term results, as well as bring about camaraderie among adventurers," he said.
More than 400 spelunking enthusiasts from the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia are expected to attend the cave congress, he added.
Samar, one of the country’s largest islands, is home not only to the largest cave but also the largest karst formation in the Philippines.
The Sohoton Natural Bridge National Park at Basey, Samar, is filled with caves, limestone boulders, rockholes, weathered formation rocks, and underground rivers.
Sohoton has become the top attraction of the town of Basey as over 2,000 tourists, both local and foreign, went to the National Park in 2008.
The department supports these initiatives since these “would not only help showcase the natural beauty of the region, but more importantly, help preserve the natural attraction," Tourism regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes said. - GMANews.TV
