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Tourism is one of today's leading economic activities in terms
of economic growth. It increases the number of jobs and attracts foreign
investments. In many developing countries, tourism represents more than
half of direct investments.
Tourism in Marinduque has largely been a seasonal concern, but
developing the island's tourist potential can draw more visitors to see its
natural splendor. There are enormous caves, white beaches and untouched
wilderness that can complement existing tourist sites and events.
Increase in tourism naturally requires investments in accommodations,
recreational facilities and tourist support services. As there are limitations
in financial resources and expertise, it is imperative for the tourism
department to seek the help of other sectors: various government agencies,
private business, financial organizations, NGOs, academic institutions,
embassies and consulates, tourism industry associations and communities at
various levels. These partnerships provide mechanisms for dialogues, which are
useful in ferreting genuine concerns and issues.
In order to accelerate tourism development in the province, it is suggested that
the local tourist master plan be enhanced. Following are some
considerations to guide successful cultural/heritage tourism programs:
 | Visitor experiences and attractions provide genuine entertainment and
educational value.
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Sites and attractions have been developed to preserve their authenticity.
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Visitor safety, convenience, and value are paramount concerns.
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Institutionalize local community participation in the decision-making process,
from conceptualization to implementation and control.
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Connect tourism projects to poverty alleviation measures, including the
formation of cooperatives, micro-financing for small businesses, and procurement
of supplies and personnel from the local community.
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Visitors travel a "circuit", that is, each town gets its share as a
tourist destination. Schedules of events being showcased in one area must
be well-coordinated with the rest.
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Form local steering committees on sustainable tourism development.
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Compile and document laws, guidelines, and best practices on sustainable tourism
for dissemination and reference. |
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