City Tourism Office now a full-fledged department

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, August 15 (PIA) -- The City Tourism Office is now a full-fledged department by virtue of City Ordinance No. 478 principally authored by City Vice Mayor Lucilo R. Bayron.

The tourism department headed by former City Councilor Ms. Rebecca Labit will have a staff complement of at least 30 based on the positions created by the city ordinance.

Among its functions is to spearhead the implementation of the City Tourism Code and Republic Act 9593, otherwise known as the “Tourism Act of 2009”. It is also tasked to formulate policies, plans, programs and projects for the development of the tourism industry of the city.

At present, the department is leading the promotions and campaign of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) in its bid in the global search for the New 7 Wonders of Nature which is now making headway in the recent rankings.

Under Ms. Labit’s leadership, the tourism department has moved to a better location with a bigger office, opened more tourist destinations and activities in the city, and doubled tourist arrivals in the “City in the Forest”.

Some of the added tourist destinations are the zipline adventure in Irawan, Sta. Monica & Tagabinet; the river cruises in Barangay Mauyon and San Carlos, Bacungan; firefly watching in Iwahig; dolphin watching in Puerto Princesa Bay; and Ugong Rock adventure.

(vsm/pia-palawan)