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
MR. ENVER LOKE, Project Leader, Frescuela Holding b.v., NETHERLANDS
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
MR. RAJENDRA NARSINGH SUWAL, Vice President, KGH Group of Hotels, Resorts and Travels, Nepal
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)
