Puerto Princesa Palawan aiming to become Sports Tourism Capital of the Philippines
Posted on March 28, 2008
MANILA, March 27 (PNA) -– City Mayor Edward Hagedorn of Puerto Princesa in Palawan said the city will soon become the country’s “Sports Tourism Capital†as efforts are well underway in making the pristine city a haven for local and foreign outdoor sports enthusiasts.
Hagedorn said that while Puerto Princesa has long been one of the favorite tourist destinations of the country because of its scenic spots, the city government had, in the past years, undertaken efforts to woo another class of tourists – avid outdoor sports enthusiasts.
He said that “besides having exotic islands, water falls, hot springs and the longest navigable underground river system in the world, Puerto Princesa also boasts of having an international dive site along its coast and pristine mountain ranges suitable for hiking, biking and mountain climbing.â€
The city government is also bent on making the city a viable venue for local and international sports events as it hosts this year’s Palarong Pambansa.
“We hope that Puerto Princesa’s potentials as an international sporting venue, both local and international, would be showcased when the national games start next month,†Hagedorn said, stressing the enormous efforts undertaken by local officials in preparation for the sport spectacle.
He said that only last month, the city had been host to an international motocross racing championship.
However, he admitted that they are taking it slowly when it comes to promotion as needed infrastructures are still being constructed.
Among them are the constructions of an international airport, five-star hotels and access roads to tourist destinations.
“Promoting heavily without the infrastructures in place might create a negative image to our city,†he said.
But even without trying to promote the city as a tourist destination, Hagedorn admitted that they are surprised with the influx of local and foreign tourists.
Records show that more than 176,000 tourists visited Puerto Princesa in 2007, a far cry from the 12,000 who came in 1992 when he first became mayor.
He said that back in 1992, there were only two flights a week to the city, while, at present, there are now six flights daily including two flights going out.
“Puerto Princesa has a complete tourist package and tourists are arriving by the hordes even without promoting it,†Hagedorn said. (PNA)
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