Albay-Sorsogon-Masbate Tourism Alliance formed
LEGAZPI CITY, Philippines — The newly organized Albay-Masbate-Sorsogon Tourism Alliance has embarked on a more integrated and comprehensive promotion strategy to market the potentials of three Bicol provinces, as it eyes some 650,000 foreign tourist arrivals in the area annually within five years.
The alliance complements another Bicol regional tourism cluster already in place — the Catanduanes-Camarines Sur-Camarines Norte Tourism Link.
Albay Gov. Joey Salceda spearheaded the organization of the alliance, recently signing an agreement of group cooperation with Masbate Gov. Rizalina Seachon-Lanete and Sorsogon Gov. Raul Lee.
The alliance is a pioneering concept in tourism promotion strategy.
Salceda, who chairs the Bicol Regional Development Council (RDC), said the alliance was initiated to ensure a stronger and more cohesive tourism campaign among the three provinces, which all have their inherent world-class tourism potentials that needed better market positioning and promotion.
“I initiated this strategic approach to accelerate tourism development and enhance the attractiveness of Bicol as a tourist destination,” said Salceda, who is also president of the organization of all RDC chairmen in the country.
He said the cluster needs the completion of several priority projects for its external market access.
These include the P3.6-billion Southern Luzon International Airport in Daraga, Albay which is expected to be finished in 2014; the modernization of the South Railways under the DOTC with the South Central Station in Comun, Camalig, Albay and spur lines to Legazpi City and Matnog, Sorsogon; the proposed four-lane Naga-Legazpi freeway system, which will link the Catanduanes-Camarines Sur-Camarines Norte Tourism Link with Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon; the proposed P250-million Mayon International Convention Center; and the P278-million Albay Sports Center in time for Albay’s hosting of the 2015 Palarong Pambansa.
Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. recently approved a P1.4-billion tourism support infrastructure package for Albay — the P440-million Cagraray Circumferential Road in Bacacay town, and the P870-million road that will directly link Libon, Albay with Donsol, Sorsogon, home of the world-famous butanding or sperm whale.
Albay recorded 316,000 tourist arrivals in 2011, of which 138,000 were foreign visitors. With the new alliance, Salceda said his province targets 500,000 foreign tourist arrivals by 2016.
Among the inviting tourist attractions of the three alliance partners are Mayon Volcano and Cagsawa Ruins in Albay, the pristine and world-class beaches in Masbate, and the sperm whales in Sorsogon.
