GENERAL SANTOS CITY (MindaNews/02 May) — Tourism stakeholders in South Cotabato are seeking around P422 million in investments for the development of seven tourism projects in the province.
Cesar Sulit Jr., South Cotabato senior tourism operations officer, said the proposed projects are among the province’s top priorities in terms of development under its enhanced tourism plan.
He said they are currently exploring possible partnerships with major investors for the development of the projects, which are situated in five localities in the province.
These are the P60-million San Felipe artists village in Tantangan town; P75-million Seven Falls Development Project in Lake Sebu; P91-million Paraiso golf course and theme park in Koronadal City; P120-million Lake Lahit Dream Aqua and Restaurant in Lake Sebu; P24-million Emily Green Park Resort Development Project in Surallah; and P52-million Mt. Matutum Fruit Park Development Project in Tupi.
Sulit said these projects were among the 12 investment packages presented by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Department of Tourism in Region 12 during the four-day regional travel and trade expo held last month in Makati City.
He said DTI-12 held an investment mission and business matching activity at the Berjaya Hotel in Makati that was attended by potential investors and representatives from government agencies, trade groups and foreign embassies.
“The responses were very encouraging and there were inquiries for our lined up projects,” he said.
During the activity, Sulit said the Tourism Infrastructure and Economic Zone Authority (TIEZA) expressed interest on the Seven Falls Development Project.
He said they discussed with TIEZA representative Michael Louis Flororita the possibility of establishing a flagship tourism economic zone in Lake Sebu.
“(TIEZA) personnel will visit the province sometime in June to validate the data presented during the investment mission,” Sulit said.
DOT and DTI in Region 12 pushed for the holding of the regional travel and trade expo in Makati City to further promote the region’s top products and world-class tourist destinations.
Dubbed “Treasures of SOX: a Travel and Trade Expo,” the event was held last April 11 to 14 at the Glorietta Mall’s activity center in Ayala Center, Makati. (MindaNews)
