Over 150 visiting envoys from the United States were treated to a gastronomic tour of southern Cebu.
In Carcar, they were greeted with a dance presentation by the Carcar Performing Arts, allowed to explore the Mancao ancestral house and served a spread of the municipality’s most famous delicacies such as ampao, chicharon and bukarilyo.
Their next stop was Argao, where they sampled the famous torta and sikwate at Casa Real.
“We keep eating at every stop. The food is very good,” a delegate to the 10th Ambassadors, Consuls General and Tourism Directors Tour (ACGTD) of the Philippines said.
They were then taken to the rehabilitated Dalaguete Beach Park for lunch and an afternoon swim while being entertained with native dance and song presentations.
Ma. Gina Martinez, tourism coordinator and officer-in-charge of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), said the agency spent around P2.7 million for the rehabilitation of the aqua building and restrooms in preparation for the arrival of the envoys.
Rehabilitation and upgrading of the resort is targeted to be completed by July 30 this year.
“We fast-tracked the rehabilitation a little in order to be ready for the ACGTD tour.
However, after this, we will still be working on the facilities,” Martinez said.
Martinez said they were looking at repainting the pavilion and existing cottages next.
TIEZA is also considering building facilities for overnight accommodation. Board approval is still needed for the construction of new facilities.
TIEZA and the municipal government of Dalaguete are eyeing to develop Dalaguete Beach Park as a “point of interest” in the municipality. The park is located in Casay, Dalaguete.
“The mayor himself has been very supportive of the renovations being done in the area and is aiming to make the beach a tourist attraction,” Martinez said.
She said Dalaguete Mayor Ronald Allan Cesante provided additional workers to help rehabilitate the resort.
Martinez said the property has been receiving a lot more attention this year.