Siargao Island in the Philippines has begun its tourism recovery journey with the opening of the 26th Siargao International Surfing Cup on October 15.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) secretary Christina Garcia Frasco stressed that tourism development in Siargao is a priority, and will “flourish in partnership with the national government”.
She added that the DoT identified infrastructure and gateway access as critical solutions to key destinations such as Siargao, stating that “the national government is here to help Siargao recover, is here to help Siargao rise to the primary position that it deserves in the world”.
A tourism-first island, Siargao welcomed 14,404 tourists, with the bulk coming from domestic tourists, at 12,870 and 1,534 foreign guests for the first semester of the year, according to the Provincial Tourism Office.
Side activities at the World Surf League-sanctioned competition include surfing masterclasses, yoga, salsa, arts and cultural show, a bazaar, beachside bonfire, sound sessions, beach clean-up drive, and a free concert.
Frasco also presented a one-million peso (US$16,951) check to the Municipality of General Luna as a manifestation of the support of the national government to the international surfing competition.
