The 1st National Seminar on COMMUNITY BASED RURAL TOURISM (CBRT) was held recently at the Marriott Hotel, Cebu City.












The Seminar's objectives were to:

1.  Enhance participants' knowledge and appreciation on the concept of rural tourism as a strategy for enhancing and/or creating economic opportunities in rural areas;
2.   To familiarize participants with the best practices in management of  selected models of rural tourism enterprises which may be promoted and/or adopted in Philippine provinces, and
3.  To promote development of community based tourism oriented enterprises in Philippine provinces as a way of optimizing utilization and productivity of resources in rural areas.

Speakers:

MR. JOSELITO C. BERNARDO, Program Officer, Agriculture Department, Asian Productivity Orgranization (APO)

Presentation:

Framework for the Development of Community Based Tourism and Successful Models of CBRT in Asia.

DR. MINA T. GABOR, PhD, President, PHILSMED, Philippines

Presentations:

1.  Dev't of Rural Areas as Prime Tourism Destinations:  Trend Issues, Challenges and Opportunities for Rural Tourism Development

2.  HOMESTAY, Phils



Presentations:

1.   Selected Models of CBRT in Africa and Latin America
2.   Ecolabels in the Tourism Industry:  The Voluntary Initiative for Sustainability in Tourism (VISIT) and Green Key




Presentation:

Sustainable Development and Management of Natural Resource Endowments in Rural Areas for Recreational and Adventure Tourism

and


DR. TERDCHAI CHOIBAMROONG, PhD, Director, The Thailand Tourism Research Institure (TRI)

Presentation:

Developing and Promoting Sustainable CBRT through Stakeholders Approach:  Insights from Thailand's Experience


The 3-day seminar had 270 participants represented by delegates from the different Regions, LGU Officials, Provincial and Municipal Tourism Officers and stakeholders from the private sector.





Delegates from Eastern Visayas:  (fr left) Josie (Baybay, Leyte), Moncher (Pintuyan, So. Leyte), DOT RD Karen Tiopes, Mr. Oliver Wingate (private sector), Ludette Ruiz (Leyte Gulf Travel & tours), Vangie (Basey, Samar) and Marissa Acorin (Borongan, Eastern Samar)