DoT pushes kayaking as new RP attraction

CEBU, Philippines - As the Philippine tourism sector zooms in on the country’s advantage on adventure activities, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is now strongly promoting the “kayaking” activity, especially in the remote provinces.

“The Philippines is an archipelago composed of several thousands of islands. Kayak trails are one way of exploring the thousands of islands here in the Philippines,” said Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, adding that kayak came to mind in order to continue the Adventure Philippines campaign of the DoT all year round.

According to Durano kayaking complements well with other adventure or eco tourism activities like diving, spelunking, and bird watching, on top of its being an environment friendly activity.

“Kayaking is one outdoor sport activity we aggressively promote as one of the activities that our country can offer. Thousands of tropical islands will surely entice people to take a kayak and explore the breadth of our clear waters,” Durano said.

In a bid to support DoT’s promotion of the Philippines as a kayaking destination, organizers will hold the third leg of the Philippine Kayaking series in a race from Cebu to Bohol on December 4 to 6.

The third leg, called Kayak Explore Cebu-Bohol Crossing, has a 125-kilometer kayak marathon, clinics, 5-km novice races, eco-touring flotilla, island hopping, moonlight paddling, and eco-tour packages.

Organizer Didi Camara said they are expecting around 100 participants in the three-day event that will start from Mactan Island, Cebu and move to Panglao Island, Bohol.

Among the local participants are local communities from Cebu including Moalboal, Daanbantayan, Borbon, Aloguinsan, and Camotes Island.

Durano also said that with the help of the Philippine Kayaking Association, 10 kayaking posts were set as trails “for those who want to experience the sun, sea, and sand of the Philippines.”

Some of these kayak destinations include Cavite-Corregidor-Bataan trail, the Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur, Northern Palawan, Bohol, Samar, and Siargao Island in Surigao del Norte.

Cebu, known for the Hilutungan Island and Marine Sanctuary, is one trail where one can experience every major water adventure activities like snorkeling, diving, and moonlight kayaking, Durano noted.

“You can visit sandbars, small islands, mangrove forests or the bird sanctuary in Olango Island in Mactan, Cebu where thousands of migratory birds make a breathtaking sight,” he added.

He said the Philippines’ Kayaking routes offer possibilities of visiting nearby islands, experiencing the idyllic comfort of resorts, and going beyond the usual tourist sites.

“Through kayaking it can take a tourist to a tiny deserted island and farther, to more islands and provinces and discover nature in its splendor as well as more interesting facets of people and culture,” he said.