Pangasinan tourism is turned over to the private sector

FACED by the prospect of being left behind in the surge of tourism growth by the likes of Cebu, Bohol, Negros and Palawan, Pangasinan Gov. Victor Agbayani recently turned over the leadership, development, and promotions of the industry to the private sector.

The task was given to the Pangasinan Council of Tourism Industries (PCTI) Inc. headed by Raymond Reyes, whose "Treasure of Bolinao" serves as the Western Terminal of the "100 Islands-Bolinao Tourist Corridor" in Western Pangasinan.

Though not popular, the "100 IslandsBolinao Tourist Corridor" has some of the most spectacular resorts and hotel facilities in Western Pangasinan including Villa Jireh, Covelandia, The Hundred Islands Resort Hotel, Tondol White Sand Beach, El Grande, and Treasures of Bolinao.

These resorts could be reached through a single tour package, which according to Reyes could be anchored favorably at The 100 Islands Resort Hotel in Barangay Lucap in Alaminos City. The resort has the communication facilities and coordination among East, West and South of the Corridor Axis to Infanta and Dasol to Subic.

In anticipation of the Mainland Chinese tourist traffic this summer, Reyes has been urging PCTII hotel stakeholders to upgrade their lodging facilities to encourage tourists to stay longer in Western Pangasinan by packaging a trip to cover three resorts in Western Pangasinan by packaging a trip to cover three resorts in a single package. The 100 Islands alone in Alaminos City has 123 island destinations.

Barangay Patar in Bolinao has more than 15 beach resorts, with varied ambience. There is night life in Alaminos City, and Night Market products on sale at the Nepo Mall. There is a large Muslim Community handling these kind of products. Sports fishing could also be pre-coordinated through the 100 Islands Resort Hotel.

[ The Hundred Islands ]