Cagayan’s island town puts up own festival to draw more tourists
Posted by on March 27, 2008
CALAYAN, Cagayan, March 25 (PNA) — In an effort to boost its own tourism industry and be able to make it a major income-generating one, this island-town will hold its first-ever month-long Tatus (coconut crab) festival in May this year.
Mayor Joseph M. Llopis said the local government unit here, with the support of the provincial government of Cagayan, the province’s three congressmen and the private sector, anticipate that the festival will be the turning point that will spur the town’s becoming a tourism destination.
Llopis admitted that while its newly discovered Sibang Cove which won an award last year as an emerging tourist destination given its white sand beach, pristine water suitable for tourism sports activities including wind surging and diving, and other features, such did not boost local tourism.
The island-town which is only a two-hour boat ride from Aparri town in mainland Cagayan is rich in natural attractions like excellent beaches, archeological sites, endemic flora and fauna, virgin forest, crystal clear blue waters, plus the hospitable and gentle people with colorful history.
“With the Tatus Festival soon, we hope to further promote our attractions to local and foreign tourists and be able to show of what we have and can offer,” Llopis said.
The festival will focus on the endemic crab which abound in this island-town. There will be a parade of delicacies made of the crab, and some antics these crabs will show to visitors, he said.
It is expected that the festival will be able to lure more tourists as it will highlight on the historical and cultural legacy of the inhabitants, the mayor said.
“Of course, we anticipate that through, the festival we will create a culture of tourism among the local residents, and eventually, we can fast-track tourism development in the area,”he said.
It is expected that the festival will be able to lure more tourists as it will highlight on the historical and cultural legacy of the inhabitants, the mayor said.
“Of course, we anticipate that through the festival, we will create a culture of tourism among the local residents, and eventually, we can fast-track tourism development in the area,” he said.
The festivities which will be held at the Sibang Cove and at the town’s poblacion will feature: a Bikini Open, aquathlon of run-walk-swim cum beach volleyball, trade fair of local products, Calayan Rail (indigenous bird) photo contest, wilds hunting contest, bonfire, boat rowing game fishing, seminar on the production of package tours, essay writing contest and others.
Llopis said the LGU has already started preparing its local residents in handling the various activities to be conducted.
“They should benefit most from the tourism activities so that they will be encouraged to work for the advancement of the industry and promote the same,” he said. (PNA)
This looks interesting! Coconut crabs, woot! But ain’t our government supposed to be conserving it. I know it’s now being regulated in Batanes because os its dwindling numbers.
Well the mayor wouldn’t care as long as he would get profit from the tourists. Specially this blood sucking A-HOLE.
The tatus conservtion of Batanes is true only if one takes the crab outside the province.Otherwise it is a sham. One can catch and consume all while in Batanes.The month long tatusfiesta celebration referred to should not be taken literally.A hunter for that vanishing creature would be lucky if in a day’s hunt one poor tatus comes-up. Tourism, great ambitious idea.But so long as the island’s infrastructure is practically in shambles because of official neglect specially by the powers in the Provincial Capitol and the Mla Central Imperial National Governor, tourism will be the unreachable star for Calayan. Build an airstrip fast. Otherwise, forget the dream. Make it fast unlike the projected airstrip for Itbayat which probably will be built after kingdom come. The idea is not to finish it at all otherwise the eternal spring of funds to line the pockets of these power that be shall dryup. Forget the sworn duty to serve, the norm is get rich quick forget morality in the public service.