Butuan City — The tourism industry is eyeing some P3.912-billion increased contribution to the regional economy of the Caraga region by 2014-2016, officials of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI-13) said.
Within this period, the Caraga region’s tourism industry also expects some 48,522 new jobs by 2016, they said.
With more of its residents employed, the region also expects new livelihood opportunities to villagers hosting within the tourism sites, especially in the Surigao provinces.
These projections were contained in the year-end report by DTI-13 at their Regional Conference Room here recently.
DTI-13 Regional Director Brielgo O. Pagaran cited at least three main strategies to meet their target as outlined in the National Tourism Development Plan 2014-2016, namely improving market access and connectivity, developing and marketing competitive tourist destinations and products, and strengthening tourism institutional government and human resource capacities.
The convergence of the Department of Tourism (DOT-13) and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-13) are also “very vital’” in improving infrastructures especially roads leading to various tourism sites all over the region, Pagaran said.
Region XIII DPWH Regional Director Danilo E. Versola and Region 13 DOT Regional Director Leticia DC Tan are already closely coordinating the implementation of various multi-billion-peso infrastructure projects located in various areas in the region.

Source: Manila Bulletin - December 28, 2013