Tourism Central Visayas Director Shalimar Tamano sees bright prospects for sports tourism in the region. /Irene R. Sino Cruz
CEBU CITY, Philippines–The Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) will promote sports activities to bring in more international participation.
DOT-7 Regional Director Shalimar Tamano said they would tap the tourism attaches assigned in different countries to help promote different sports activities here.
When Tamano took over as DOT-7 regional director, he immediately identified sports tourism as having the potential to boost visitor arrivals in the region.
He noted that since the region is composed of islands, sports tourism would feature more water-based activities.
Tamano explained that water sports would not require expensive infrastructure since the beaches will serve as the venue.
He explained that many others who invested in expensive sports venues find it difficult to use these infrastructures again.
But Tamano, however, stressed they would also promote inland sports activities.
The DOT-7 has already listed several sports activities in the region. These include dragon boat racing in Bohol and Cebu, bangka racing in Dauin, Negros Oriental, and marathon, duathlon and triathlon races./dcb