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Sorsogon ready to welcome tourists again—Escudero

Sorsogon is again reopening its doors to both local and foreign travelers with better infrastructure, improved facilities and more attractions in several tourism sites, says its Governor Francis “Chiz” Escudero.

Escudero assured that “a more beautiful and better” province awaits travelers when t

Sorsogon , Samar , Philippines , Donsol , Bulusan , Pampanga , Francis-chiz-escudero , Bobby-gigantone , Sorsogon-provincial-tourism-office , Tourism-center , Governor-francis

Philippines: Whale shark interactions, more than 100 sites reopen to tourists

Dozens of destinations in Bicol region welcome visitors again after 2-year shutdown

Tigaon , Camarines-sur , Philippines , Philippine , Benguet , Donsol , Sorsogon , Boracay-island , Aklan , Mayon-volcano , Philippines-general- , Jose-panganiban

Sorsogon reopens doors to local, foreign tourists

Sorsogon Governor Francis Escudero (PNA file photo) LEGAZPI CITY - The provincial government of Sorsogon announced on Monday the reopening of its doors to both local and foreign tourists with better infrastructure, improved facilities, and more attractions in several tourism sites. In a statement, Governor Francis Escudero assured that "a more beautiful and better" province awaits tourists when they visit Sorsogon as travel restrictions are eased around the country with the decline in coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases. "Noong nagsara ang mundo nang dahil sa pandemya, ginawa namin itong oportunidad upang mapaganda pa ang aming lalawigan. Nagkaroon ng mga renovation at improvement sa ilan sa aming mga tourism sites, pati mga kalye at iba pang mga imprastraktura ay ipinagawa. (When the world closed because of the pandemic, we used it as an opportunity to make our province more beautiful. Renovation and improvements were done in some of our tourist sites, even roads, and other infrastructure, too)," Escudero said. On March 5, the governor will lead the blessing and inauguration of the new Bulusan Eco-Tourism Center and Facilities and the Bulusan Eco-Adventours at the Bulusan Natural Park, which has been closed since the March 2020 lockdown. Amenities at the Bulusan Park have been upgraded and expanded to include an al fresco coffee shop and restaurant, a massage and spa area, and a bigger souvenir shop. Bobby Gigantone, chief of the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Office, expressed optimism that the town will attract even a fraction of the pre-pandemic visitors as the country transitions to the new normal. In 2019, Bulusan received 141,000 visitors, mostly locals. Last week, the town of Donsol has reopened its "butanding" (whale shark) interaction, with health protocols in place to ensure the safety of visitors. Gigantone said some 13,000 locals and foreigners visited Donsol, known as the "Whale Shark Capital of the World," from January to May 2019. The public was given a preview of the province's famous tourism destinations in the recently-concluded television series "I Left My Heart in Sorsogon." "Our province is more beautiful and better now kasi pinagsikapan namin itong pagandahin simula noong mag-lockdown noong Marso 2020 (because we worked hard to make it beautiful since the March 2020 lockdown), and I am excited to welcome both our kababayan (countrymen) and foreigner friends alike," Escudero said. (PNA) }

Sorsogon , Samar , Philippines , Donsol , Legazpi , Legaspi , Bulusan , Pampanga , Francis-escudero , Bobby-gigantone , Sorsogon-provincial-tourism-office , Tourism-center

Sorsogon opens whale shark interactions to tourists

(Photo courtesy ofWorld Wide Fund) LEGAZPI CITY - The tourism industry in Sorsogon is optimistic about recovering from the economic slump after health authorities downgraded the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) alert status to Level 2, resulting in eased restrictions and the opening of more establishments. In an interview on Tuesday, Bobby Gigantone, chief of the Sorsogon Provincial Tourism Office (SPTO), said they have reopened the "butanding" or whale shark interaction in Donsol town following a multi-sectoral meeting on the setting up of guidelines and protocols that would ensure the safety of both the tourists and locals. Under Alert Level 2, indoor establishments are allowed to have a 50-percent capacity while outdoor areas may have a 70-percent capacity. The tourism industry of Donsol has suffered huge economic losses resulting from the pandemic due to closed establishments and unemployment of hundreds of workers. Donsol Tourism Office (DTO) data showed the pre-pandemic edition of the Butanding Festival in 2019 generated a total of PHP448 million in gross revenues, of which PHP75 million went to the community, PHP3.5 million went to the local government unit (LGU) coffers, and the rest was spent for national promotions and tourism marketing activities. The DTO data also showed 13,000 tourist arrivals in the same year. "With the permanent and temporary closure of tourist establishments such as hotels, resorts, restaurants, hundreds of millions in revenue were lost and hundreds of workers lost their jobs," Gigantone said. The town's whale shark interaction project is a collaborative undertaking between the LGU, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Philippines, a joint commitment for a sustainable and balanced eco-tourism program. Sorsogon Gov. Francis Escudero, in a statement, said the reopening of the tourism sites would help the industry and community, particularly its workers to bounce back from the slump. He said the province will soon also open other tourist destinations including the Bulusan Natural Park. Meanwhile, Herbie Aguas, DOT regional director, in a phone interview, said the pandemic has hurt the tourism industry in the region for the past two years, with PHP10 billion in revenues already lost. "It will take two to three years for the industry to gradually recover and for the government to pour in fiscal stimulus to assist in the recovery plan," Aguas said. He also said the pandemic taught some industry stakeholders to find alternative sources of income such as engaging in agri-tourism. Bicol currently has 16 farm sites that feature agricultural products, research developments, farm exhibits, and farmers' training. Among the sites opened for tours are the Hibiscus Trekker's Camp in Tigaon town, Inarihan Farm Resort in Naga City, LRV-Agri Science Far in Calabanga, MikeLiz Integrated Farm also in Calabanga, Sonrisa Farm in Magarao, AO Techno Science Park @ OADP at the Central Bicol State University of Agriculture in Pili, all in Camarines Sur. In Albay, opened were the Aguas Farm in Sto. Domingo, Albay Farmer's Bounty Village, Elmiro De Shei Integrated Farm, and Solong Eco Park and Tours, all in Camalig; and Villa Miranda Farm and Resorts in Libon. In Sorsogon, now open to visitors are the Balay Buhay sa Uma Bee Farm in Bulusan and Barcelona Agrihope Tourism Farm in Barcelona. In Masbate, opened were the Casa Eduardo Agri-farm Resort in Claveria, and Uma Koinonia in Masbate City. In Camarines Norte, on the other hand, JSMS Organic Farm and Agribusiness in Jose Panganiban have been allowed to accept visitors. (PNA) }

Tigaon , Camarines-sur , Philippines , Donsol , Sorsogon , Jose-panganiban , Camarines-norte , Samar , Calabanga , La-union , Libon , Albay

New eco-adventure park in Sorsogon opens

Published January 22, 2021, 1:12 PM
PRIETO DIAZ, Sorsogon – A remote village in Prieto Diaz town in Sorsogon province is offering a new tourism activity for adventure and nature lovers.
Tourists cross the 750-meters long bamboo bridge in Bigaho Eco-Park in Brgy Talisayan, Prieto Diaz town. This destination is the newest attraction is Sorsogon province after it opened last year. (Niño N. Luces / MANILA BULLETIN)
Just 15 kilometers away from Sorsgon City proper, the newly opened Bigaho Eco-Park in Brgy Talisayan in Prieto Diaz town offers hiking and trekking activities in going to an islet where views of the majestic Mayon Volcano and Albay gulf provide the best background for “instagramable” photos.

Mayon-volcano , Philippines-general , Philippines , Sorsogon , Samar , Manila , Prieto-diaz , Sawanga , Manlabong , Gilbert-catabian , Barangay-diamante , Brgy-talisayan