Samal Island ,Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT) has revised its target foreign tourist arrivals from six million to 10 million in 2016, a tourism official said.
“We want Samal to be a top of the mind destination in the Philippines,” DOT-Region 11 director Arturo Boncato Jr. said.
Boncato said they intend to put this garden city in the ranks of Boracay in Aklan and Palawan.
He said the government is also looking at Davao as a national gateway to contribute to the target.
Foreign tourist arrivals in the country were pegged at 3.9 million last year. This year’s target is 4.1 million.
Boncato said this island is an eco-tourism destination, where tourists could engage in several activities without disturbing the biodiversity.
City administrator Clero Bravo Gales Jr. said a marine assessment survey showed that 53 of the 73 general marine corals are found in Samal.
Gales said marine species for underwater macro-photography are also abundant in this island.
The “Visit Samal Island” campaign, which aims to boost tourist arrivals in the island not only in the summer but for the entire year, was launched last year.
The local government of Samal has set April, May, June and July 2012 as “Visit Samal” months, said Mayor Aniano Antalan.
There are around 70 resorts and tourism establishments in this island.