AFTER topping the New 7 Wonders of Nature (N7WN) contest, the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) has become the hottest tourism draw in the country.
By being the second to be officially recognized as among the N7WN, PPUR cemented its status as one the best in the competition that pitted natural wonders all over the globe.
Since PPUR secured its position in the N7WN contest, the number of visitors shot up from 170,000 annually to more than 500,000.
Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn said the number of visitors may reach a million, that’s why this early, the entire city is preparing contingent plans to cope with the influx of incoming visitors.
“Puerto Princesa City has become a booming tourist destination, we are now faced with a greater challenge to elevate the level of standards, improve our front line services, strengthen public and private partnerships and provide a code of ethics for the entire tourism industry,” Hagedorn said.
“Hence, the first Tourism Summit 2012 envisions to achieve our goal to be a model city, not only in conservation and preservation of the environment but as a haven for tourism investments,” Hagedorn added.
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The main purpose of the summit is to enable the key players of the tourism industry of Puerto Princesa to meet the challenges of the country’s growing tourist destinations.
“As envisioned by our leaders, we shall experience the Golden Era of Tourism. The challenge we face now would require dedication and commitment to synergize public and private partnerships, strengthen and elevate professionalism to a new high and adopt a code of ethics for the tourism industry,” said Becky Labit, Puerto Princesa assistant city administrator and tourism officer.
The city invited Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia as guest speaker, to share Cebu’s tourism experience and success. In her speech, “Tourism—the Cebu experience” delivered on February 11, Garcia underscored the importance of cultural heritage, preservation and sustainability of the environment, in-depth research on historical sites, and improved tourism standard as the hottest draw for tourists in Cebu.
The governor also noted the significance of the “right packaging and marketing strategy” as the main secret of Cebu’s tourism success.
IN PHOTO -- PUERTO Princesa Mayor Edward Hagedorn and Rebecca Labit, assistant city administrator and tourism officer present to Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia (center) a plaque of appreciation as token of her invaluable support to the First Puerto Princesa Tourism Summit 2012 held at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum.
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