The province ‘s tourist arrivals speak of our efforts and contribution to the local economy, disclosed Senior Tourism Operations Officer Argie Ryan Asaria, chief of the Arts, Culture, Tourism and Museum (ACTM) Unit.
Speaking during the culmination of the National Tourism Month celebration recently, Asaria stressed that the tourism value chain primarily means inclusivity and it speaks timely to the theme of this year’s tourism month celebration, “Tourism for Inclusive Growth.” SouthCotabato posted more than 700,00 tourist arrival from January to June this year 2021, a big leap compared to only more than 300,000 tourist arrivals last 2020.
He likewise pointed out that the tourism office has transformed as CoVid-19 Frontliner since they have “assisted (as of press time), almost 15,000 Locally Srranded Individuals (LSIs), Returning Residents (RRs) and Returning Overseas Filipinos (ROFs) to be with their families and to be at their home too.”
Asaria also thanked all partners, DOT XII, provincial, city and municipal LGUs, tourism councils, cultural workers and stakeholders “who keep on supporting our appreciation to our local artisans who produce world-class products from the Land of the Dreanweavers.”
With Governor Reynaldo S. Tamayo Jr. leadership and the support of our government officials, we are looking forward that tourism will be recognized as equally important as health, education and agriculture, “ Asaria concluded.