Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano Saturday said he is working to develop Mt. Kanlaon, the highest mountain in the Visayas, as an eco-tourism attraction for mountaineers.

Durano, who was the guest at the opening of the Panaad sa Negros Festival in Bacolod City, said he would continue to push the tourism potentials of Negros, pointing out that, despite the global economic crisis, Philippine tourism will continue to expand this year.

“The Philippines is looking at around 3 million foreign tourists coming this year, we are sustaining the pre-crisis level,” he said.

On top of that, the tourism department is looking at about 8 million Filipinos traveling within the country for a total tourism traffic of around 11 million, he said.

The Filipino tourists, many of whom traveled abroad in the past, are expected to spend from P2 to 3 billion for domestic tourism, Durano added.

That’s the reason why, despite the global economic downturn, our destinations are expanding, he said.

“Our challenge really is to spread the benefits of tourism to more provinces,” he said.

Durano said he is working with Team Everest to develop Mt. Kanlaon as a destination for weekend and professional domestic and foreign mountaineers.

“Mt. Kanlaon is one of the iconic assets of Negros that has the potential for eco-tourism,” he said.

Kanlaon has an elevation of 2,435 meters.

Durano said DOT has also provided financial assistance to the Mambukal Resort in Murcia and the MassKara and Panaad festivals that are major tourist attractions in Negros Occidental.

He said the Panaad is more than just a festival, it is the first provincial expo.

The pavilions of the towns and cities of the province that showcase their produce is an exposition of what Negros Occidental has to offer, he said.

Durano said Negros Occidental has many tourist attractions, including the beaches and dive spots in the south. What is important is that accommodations and access are improved, he said.

Meanwhile, Senator Loren Legarda who was also at the Panaad sa Negros Saturday, said the festival gives a boost to small and medium scale livelihood programs with the promotion of goods produced from various parts of the province.

The Panaad promotes eco-tourism, livelihood and culture that other provinces should follow, she said.*CPG

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