By Connie Calipay
LEGAZPI CITY – The Albay provincial government, through its Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO), has further intensified the preparation of local tourist destinations and facilities to ensure that visitors will have comfortable and enjoyable stay in the province during the summer months.
Albay PTCAO chief Dorothy Colle said they are now ready for the arrival of local and foreign tourists as the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) welcomes the dry season. She said they continue to monitor preparation efforts to ensure the accommodation facilities will give visitors safe and worry-free vacation.
“We encourage them to become Department of Tourism (DOT)-accredited facilities because being DOT-accredited means they comply with set standards, and as such, we can guarantee the safety and services provided to tourists,” Colle said.
She added only tourism facilities accredited by the DOT can be promoted or recommended to tourists, as these are the ones that comply with the required standards for a service-oriented facility, and help the public prevent being victimized by online scams.
“The services offered by DOT-accredited establishments vary. We have accommodations, resorts, restaurants, hotels, and various other allied services. In terms of accommodation, there are at least 180 facilities across the provinces,” she shared.
Colle added they also take initiatives to further increase the number of facilities to accommodate visitors. “We conducted a survey, and at one time, we found that if all accommodation facilities were fully booked, we could accommodate more than 2,800 people,” she said.
Colle noted that beaches are the top choice this summer, and Albay has plenty of these, with coastal areas on both its western and eastern sides.
“On the western side, we have the Albay West shorelines that connect the municipalities of Libon, Oas, Pioduran, and Ligao. On the eastern side, which faces the Pacific Ocean, popular destinations include the resorts on Cagraray Island, and the black and white sand beaches in the towns of Tiwi, Malinao, Tabaco City, Bacacay, and Santo Domingo,” she said.
Colle added that Albay also has beautiful waterfalls in Malinao, eco-farms, the Mayon Skyline, Kawa-Kawa Hill and Natural Park for pilgrims, the famous Cagsawa Ruins in Daraga, Quituinan Hills, and Quitinday Hills in Camalig town. (OJTs/PNA)