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Ruffy Magbanua

ADMITTEDLY, what impedes the tourism growth  in Mindanao is not the lack of world-class infrastructure but the continuing threat of terrorism.

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The beauty and charm of Mindanao is confidently beyond question. What is in question perhaps is how to corner that elusive peace this beautiful island has been searching since time immemorial.

With all its costly branding, Mindanao  needs to strengthen its domestic security, the basic law and order for that matter, considered as the fundamental recipe to sustain tourism  growth in this island once dubbed as the “promised land.”

And whoever will be the next to occupy Malacanang, this troubled island, most often threatened by terrorist attacks, deserves special attention no less to attain a responsible, sustainable and inclusive tourism development.

The need for a greater connectivity of  Mindanao’s diverse destinations is also to be underscored by the next administration.

And basically, we are banking on Digong Duterte’s no-nonsense brand of governance – that is, if ever he becomes President by a stroke of fate — to place Mindanao in the pedestal of sustained growth, globally competitive in the field of tourism development and agriculture.

That said, the regional tourism office here led by its ever dynamic and debonair Butch Chan III has outlined several tourism initiatives  but expressed alarm over the portrayal of negative stories about Mindanao.

Speaking before the members of the  vibrant Cagayan de Oro Press Club over the weekend, Butch as we fondly address him, called on the local press to drum up tourism first before terrorism.

The need to market Mindanao as a tourism destination is foremost in our minds and the cooperation of all players of the industry including the tri-media is paramount to sustain growth in the tourism sector, he says matter-of-factly.

Like Butch, we shed our tears every time we hear and read bad news about Mindanao. The time has come to look deeper into the beauty and charm of the island.

And so, we ask these questions: what moves do we need to make travel and tourism in Mindanao safe and robust? What are the  key economic indicators   for the sustained  growth of local businesses and communities?

With two more years to go before retiring in his native Camiguin, Butch,  a choreographer, stage director, a teacher, a banker, a lover of arts and culture and most of all, a devoted tourism planner leaves a legacy of “firsts” for the tourism industry in Northern Mindanao to stay afloat and become globally competitive.

His tagline on  Camiguin made waves and became the springboard of  the island’s tourism identity as the “island of your imagination.” Cagayan de Oro now has a new slogan: the Golden Heart of Asia. Malaybalay has earned the moniker “city in the forest” while Valencia is dubbed as the “City of Golden Harvest,” it being the rice granary of Northern Mindanao. Misamis Occidental is “Oks na Oks in Misocc,” among others.

Against this backdrop,  the question on how to ensure greater information sharing and collective steps to ensure visitor safety remains  critical at this time. The need therefore  to institute tighter security measures are calculated moves  toward achieving a competitive and safe  tourist destination anywhere in Mindanao.

With vigor and dynamism, the next administration is being challenged to build greater flexibility and visibility  such as the ability of hotels and tour operators, among others, to adapt internal security measures during meetings, conferences and exhibitions, and others  that could come anytime at the forefront of tourism activities.

One fine example is the ever growing number of Korean tourist arrivals in Northern Mindanao particularly in Cagayan de Oro. The need therefore to tailor-fit marketing and outreach efforts according to their needs, is one clear measure that can be leveraged, the same application for other foreign tourists like the Americans and Japanese visitors alike.

With the coming of the Asean integration, Mindanao must be prepared for the  growing number  of arrivals of both foreign and domestic tourists and this is best addressed by partnering  with the private sector in a corrupt-free, enabling environment.

Accordingly, Mindanao must recognize that the region’s sustained attractiveness as an emerging tourist destination must be driven by its people and the services  it provide.

In addition, the island’s tourism come-on must be anchored  on the attitude and acceptance of its people — more than the fine beaches and sand bars, more than the water falls, rivers and mountains, more than its culture, historic or otherwise.

Community involvement also plays an important role in building  support system for travel and tourism efforts in Mindanao to flourish and eventually benefit the people in the localities.

With  terrorism worries continue to hound the tourism industry,  the island’s  potentials as the country’s emerging tourist destination is not seen to pass the tests of time in earnest, not until terror attacks are silenced and put to eternal rest.

Mindanao, its image already tarnished   by terrorism has to push hard to become safe, secured and globally-competitive, tourism-wise.

Our take therefore is tourism, not terrorism.

E-mail: ruffy44_ph2000@yahoo.com

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TRAILBLAZER. Established in 1989, Mindanao Gold Star Daily aimed set ablaze a new meaning and flame to the local newspaper industry. Throughout the years it continued its focus and interest in the rural areas and pioneered the growth of community journalism.