TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomed the inclusion of Eastern Visayas region among the top local and international destinations recommended for “revenge travel” this year, saying the listing will raise interest among tourists to explore the area including its natural wonders.
“This is something that we need to
celebrate because this represents the hard work of every stakeholder in the
region. We are the only place mentioned as a region, which means they see a lot
of hidden places and activities that await people to experience,” DOT Eastern
Visayas Regional Director Karina Rosa Tiopes told the Philippine News Agency.
She said they were “surprised” to see the
region in the list of sites recommended by travel experts and influencers as
published by the Philippine Star’s Life magazine.
In the listing, Angel Juarez of
Lakwatsero.com, urged travelers “not to look far to go on adventures this year”
for their “revenge travel” after staying at home in the past two years due to
pandemic.
“(On) top of mind is Eastern Visayas
comprising Samar Provinces, Leyte Provinces, and Biliran. It is a region
frequently visited by devastating typhoons that also rely on tourism, so your
visit will surely help locals rebuild and recover. Unknown to many, the region
is home to diverse natural wonders! Bask in Kalanggaman Island of Leyte,
explore the waterfalls of Biliran, or discover the beautiful caves of Samar.
These and more surprises await in Eastern Visayas!” the travel influencer said.
Tiopes said the statement from industry
expert is a big boost to the tourism promotion efforts, but this will also
require “heavier responsibility” to meet their expectations.
“We will make sure that if tourists are
here, we offer the best experience because when they return home, they will be
champions in promoting our sites,” she said.
Eastern Visayas region consists of the
provinces of Biliran, Eastern Samar, Leyte, Northern Samar, Samar and Southern
Leyte and the cities of Baybay, Borongan, Calbayog, Catbalogan, Maasin, Ormoc
and Tacloban, the Eastern Visayas’ regional center.
Among its popular destinations are
Kalanggaman Island, San Juanico Bridge, Leyte Landing Memorial in Leyte;
Sambawan Island in Biliran; dive sites in Southern Leyte; Calicoan Island in
Eastern Samar; Sohoton Cave and Natural Park in Samar and Biri Rock Formations
in Northern Samar.
“The region remains relatively
under-the-radar compared to other known tourist destinations in the
Philippines, but this has been slowly changing in the past years as demand for
raw nature tourism grows,” Tiopes said.
“More and more people are now visiting the
region in pursuit of rugged coasts and landscapes, secret caves and waterfalls,
and fascinating histories,” she said.
Meanwhile, other sites in the Philippines
listed for “revenge travel” are the Camotes Islands in Cebu province, Danjugan
Island in Negros Occidental, Gigantes Islands in Iloilo, Balabac in Palawan and
the provinces of Davao and Bukidnon. (Sarwell Meniano)
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