(Contributed photos)
TACLOBAN CITY- At least three tour companies based here in the region have earned spots in this year’s 6th edition of the International Travel Festival (ITF) in Cebu City.
“As in the years before, we brought three Eastern Visayas Tour Operators, namely, MarsDennise Travel and Tours, Hero Travel and Tours, and Kamp Kulambo,” said Bing Lumbre, product and market development officer of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in the region.
“We have been actively participating this annual event held at Ayala Center in Cebu in 2012, 2014, 2018, and 2019,” Lumbre added.
According to the tourism officer, the operators had the chance to meet, market and sell their tour packages to buyers and tourists alike in the Cebu areas for three days.
“The products mostly marketed and asked included the San Juanico cruises, island tours to Kalanggaman, the historical Limasawa, Cuatro Islas and Sambawan Islands. Others also inquired about Sohoton Caves and the Torpedo Boat Adventure in Paranas, historical tours to Balangiga, the celebration of the Leyte Landings, and the 500th year of the First Mass Anniversary,” Lumbre said.
He also thanked the support of DOT Regional Director Karen Tiopes and the travel operators for the successful event.
Hero Travel and Tours, owned and managed by Rhoel Ladera, is the top tour operator when it comes to San Juanico cruises, island tours in Kalanggaman, Cuatro Islas and Sambawan, along with tour to Sohoton caves, among other destinations in Eastern Visayas.
“The San Juanico Sunset Cruise by Hero Travel Solutions will be a big help in promoting our most iconic tourist destination in Tacloban which is the famous San Juanico Bridge. Not only can one have that instagrammable picture under the bridge but one can also explore the different islets in the strait, like the Isla de San Juanico,” Ladera said.
“Also as part of our corporate social responsibility we are helping promote the San Juan by the Bay as a stopover for our tour so we can help the people’s organization behind it, which is The San Juan by the Bay Service Cooperative. This is a project of Ms. Gina Lopez of ABS-CBN Foundation,” he added.
Meanwhile, Kamp Kolambu Travel and Tour operator disclosed that they “would like to highlight this early the upcoming 500 years commemoration of the 1st Mass in Limasawa, where we expect a lot of guests.”
Named after Rajah Kolambu, supreme ruler of Limasawa Island at the time of Magellan Landings in 1521, Kamp Kolambu offers a glamorous camping experience which vary from the usual ones in terms of size of tent with complete amenities like air conditioning, air beds with beddings, lights and full board meals.
“Limasawa Island, with its historicity and natural wonders, is a personal favorite of the outfit. We decided to make it the litmus test for a unique travel experience to include glamorous camping and activities which are curated according to the guests’ desired,” the company said.
“The camping rates vary from the kind of services requested by guests. Rates are affordable for middle class tourists,” wrote the Kamp Kolambu in its Facebook page.
Kamp Kolambu can also offer the same concept in other tourist destinations in the region, provided that there is electricity supply.
“We also offer Tacloban City tours with a twist- remembrance tours like Leyte Landings and Yolanda tours, Kalanggaman and other island destinations, faith and pilgrimage tours, and general adventure tours,” the Kamp Kulambo operator said.
The recently-concluded 6th ITF was attended by more than 100 exhibitors from airline companies, hotels, and resorts.
(RONALD O. REYES)
