With the spike of tourist arrivals and increase in economic activities in Puerto Princesa, the City Tourism Offfice (CTO) asked tourists to visit its 24 Community-based Sustainable Tourism sites aside from the popular destinations such as the Underground River, Honda Bay or Crocodile Farm.
“Napakarami nating destinasyon. Actually meron tayong mga major destinations kagaya ng Underground River, Honda Bay at yung ating City Tour. Maliban diyan mayroon din tayong 24 na mga CBST, Community Based Sustainable Tourism [sites]. Actually halos hindi pa nga nila ito naiikot ayon dun sa mga pagga-gather naming ng data mula sa mga tourist na nagpupunta dito. Kayang- kaya sila accommodate dito sa lungsod,” said Senior Tourism Operation Officer, Ms. Michie Meneses, as she assured that the city can accommodate all the tourists who will visit the city in the coming years despite the increasing number.
Some of the 24 Community-based Sustainable Development (CBST) destinations are: Ugong Rock, Hundred Caves, Iwahig Firefly Watching, Mauyon, San Carlos and Mangrove Paddle Boat in Sabang.
According to the data gathered by the CTO of Puerto Princesa City, the number of tourist arrivals for the year of 2018 has increased over 2017. A partial tally of tourist arrivals for the year 2018 as of January 22, 2019 shows 1,108,362 tourists visited. This is an increase of 77,810 arrivals compared to the 1,030,552 total tourist arrivals last 2017.
This 2019, the City Tourism department is constantly doing its part to promote the beauty of Puerto Princesa to attract more tourist to visit the city with sustainability on its mind. “Actually yan ang isa sa mga initiative ng City Tourism, hindi lang ng City Tourism ng buong Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Puerto Princesa na magkaroon tayo ng tinatawag na Tourism Sustainable Development kasabay ng pagunland ng ating turismo ay patuloy natin na sinisiguro ang ating kalikasan ay napapapangalagaan. For example, yung Underground River sinusunod natin yung mga polisiya pagdating sa ating pangangalaga sa ating kalikasan,” she added.
Furthermore, Meneses also stated that tourism is one the major industries in Puerto Princesa, along with its impact within the economic stand of the city. Tourism industry provides employment to at least 4,000 individuals. It is a new source of income for the city as it results to innovation and building infrastructures, and most importantly, it brings greater opportunities for the different members of the society and the city as a whole.
“Sa atin pong mga turista, inaanyayahan po namin kayong bumalik at patuloy na pumunta dito sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa kasi napakarami pa pong destinasyon na maari pa po ninyong ma-e-enjoy at mapuntahan dito po sa aming lungsod at kayo po ay very much welcome dito po sa lungsod ng Puerto Princesa kung kayo po ay pupunta. And, I am sure kayo po ay mabibighani sa natural na ganda ng aming lungsod,” said Meneses.