Tourism took off from close to 1 million tourist arrivals from
January to September 2008. The observance of all souls/saints
days, Christmas and New Year holidays brought in more tourists
in the region.
Foreign tourists account for majority of the tourists with
Camarines Sur and Naga City as the primary place of
destination. With the growing number of tourists especially in
Camarines Sur/Naga City, Villa Caceres Hotel responded to the
growing demand for affordable accommodation with the opening of
a classy 50-room Meditarranean wing in November.
An
indicator of the status of the tourism industry is the volume of
airline and seacraft passengers. The volume of air passengers
in the provinces of Masbate and Catanduanes significantly
decreased with the shift of Asian Spirit to Zestair in November
which temporarily halted its operation. With this, Philippine
Airlines captured the clients of Asian Spirit with the increase
in its volume of passengers. For the Manila-Legazpi-Manila and
Manila-Naga-Manila routes, there were remarkable increases in
the number of passengers due to cheaper fares introduced by Cebu
Pacific.
On
the other hand, the number of passengers of seacrafts plying the
route Masbate-Pilar, Masbate-Lucena (vice-versa) increased with
the temporary inoperation of aircrafts. The Trans-asia Shipping
Line continued to increase its passengers being Bicol’s sea
transport link to Cebu.
On
marketing and promotion, one of the major activities of the
region was the Gayon Bikol Fiesta staged back to back with
Ogullo kan Bikol in October. The event was participated by local
government units and private tourism service facilities
providers. The region likewise participated in the Intramuros:
History Town Philippines Program Paskong Pinoy 2008 by the
Department of Tourism in December. The winners of Pastores Bikol
2008 showcased the unique and well-known yuletide tradition of
the region.
Some of the other distinct events/festivals in the region were
the following: (1) Catandungan Festival in October higlighted by
the Governor’s Cup National Surfing Competition with a total of
52 participants coming from Siargao, Baler, Aurora, Samar,
Ilocos Sur, Surigao City, Manila, Camarines Norte and the local
surfers of Catanduanes; (2) Ibalong and Kasanggayahan Festivals
in October; (3) Carrera Habagat organized by Habagat Outdoor
Equipment based in Cebu City which was hosted by the
Municipality of Sto.
Domingo in November.
It is the
Philippines toughest adventure race combining discovery,
adventure, sports, team spirit and environmental concerns.
Twenty (20) teams from various part of the country participated;
(4) Boy Scouts of the Philippines Regional Jamborette in
November; and (4) Pastores Bikol 2008 in December.
One of the alarming concerns in tourism industry development is
the growing number of illegal fishing practices in the Island of
Ticao which has become a favorite diving spot of tourists with
the ample presence of Manta Rays. As reported by PIA Press
Release (4 November 2008), concerned
residents of the Island said that commercial fishing vessels
locally known as “pangulong” and “palupad” and blast fishermen
continued to ply their harmful trade in the waters of San
Jacinto and Monreal despite efforts to stop them. These
practices deplete the supply of fish and damage coral reefs that
serve as habitat to manta ray and other sea creatures.
