DOT-Caraga to host 1st students and tourism stakeholders’ nat’l convention

The Department of Tourism (DOT), Caraga Regional Office has partnered with One Corporate Grand Tours, Inc. in hosting the first students and tourism stakeholders’ national convention on November 16-19, 2009 in one of the local hotels here.

In a written statement sent to PIA by DOT-Caraga Regional Director Leticia dela Cruz-Tan, the activity aims to provide an avenue for students, school heads and tourism stakeholders to enrich their understandings on the current trends of tourism and create a synergestic response to its challenges.

Also, Dir. Tan said the convention will bring together students from different regions as well as tourism stakeholders from all over the country. “It will be a rare learning opportunity as seasoned speakers will shed light on various tourism issues and related topics which are of interest to all,” Tan said.

Dir. Tan also stressed that the activity is a pleasurable opportunity as participants will share experiences with people in the field. “At the same time, educate and motivate each other by sharing their knowledge and best practices with them,” she said.

Sec. Gilbert Teodoro of the Department of National Defense (DND) heads the list of speakers who will talk on the Effective Security and Safety Management and Its Implications to Tourism Development in the Philippines.

Bohol Provincial Governor Erico Aumentado will also be discussing the topic on how to address the Challenges of Tourism Impacts to the Local Community. Sec. Teodoro and Gov. Aumentado will be the speakers on the first day.

On the following day, Atty. Oscar Palabyab, DOT Undersecretary for Tourism Services and Regional Offices is the third speaker who will discuss the Basic Tenets of the New Tourism Act and Its Implications to the Industry.

Meanwhile, Ms. Prescilla Calimag of the DOT’s Office of Tourism Development Planning is tasked to share her insights on Ecotourism, A Tool in Innovating Tourism Destination Management.

The last speaker of the day is Dr. Erlinda Burton of Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City. She will discuss on the significance of the Balangays to Philippine History and Tourism.

During the break-up sessions, the participants will be divided into four groups with different speakers invited to share their experiences in tourism-related activities.

Among those who will be invited to speak are Mr. Celestino Ulep, Tourism Consultant; Surigao City Mayor Alfonso Casurra; PSSupt. Nestor Fajura of Police Regional Office (PRO)-13; Surigao del Norte Governor Robert Ace Barbers; National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA)-Caraga Regional Director Carmencita Cochingco; Mr. Greg Hontiveros, a local historian of Butuan City; and Dr. Irennetta Montinola, Surigaonon Heritage Foundation Executive Director.

A registration fee of Php 2,500 will be collected for live-out participants while Php 3,200 will be charged to live-in participants.

For further information, visit the activity’s official website at www.tourismnationalconvention.com or contact (085) 341-8413. (Robert E. Roperos, PIA-Caraga)

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