Mangoes are Zambales province’s top tourist draw

Iba, Zambales – One of Zambales’ famous delights are its sweet and luscious mangoes. Known for its incomparable taste that’s also beyond description, the Dinamulag variety is the most popular among Zambales mango varieties.

It is for this reason that the Zambales Mango Festival every first week of March, with these luscious tropical fruit in the center of the festivities, draws thousands of local and foreign tourists to this province located on the western coast of Central Luzon.

But Zambales’ Mango Festival is just the initial step in preparing the province in becoming one of the prime tourism spots in the country. Recognized in 1995 by the Guinness Book of World Records for having the sweetest mangoes in the world, Zambales also has interesting sites and activities for those lured by the smell and taste of its premier tropical fruit.

“Have you ever heard of Mt. Apulao? It’s more scenic and has a better climate than Baguio but has not been recognized because it doesn’t receive enough publicity and people don’t know about it,” said Zambales Governor Amor Deloso.

“Zambales is beautifully situated. It’s the only province located between the mountains and the sea. Other provinces just have long coastlines and some just have mountains. We have both,” Gov. Deloso added.

With an airport that’s set to open anytime soon, Zambales is indeed all set to become a premier destination in the country. The province is finding new ways of developing new sites to offer to tourists. At present, only 10 percent of the province’s natural wonders and beauty is being explored and made available to tourists.

“When our neighboring provinces get too commercialized and busy, tourists will come to Zambales and enjoy it here. Here they will experience the best beaches and breathtaking mountains and enjoy our mangoes. From there we will be noticed as a good destination and bring in other tourist which could benefit the entire province as well,” said Deloso.

“Our mangoes are very unique in that they are heart-shaped with a blushing red color, just like a lady who first hears and learns about love,” he added.

In line with the development of the province’s tourism sector, plans are afoot to build a world class resort in Zambales.

“I believe that tourism is the key that can bring in money to our province. That’s why we’re trying to maintain the cleanliness of Zambales as well as our 195 kilometers of white sand beaches” added Deloso.

Zambales’s image will now shift from being the province of indigenous people to a province blessed with vast natural resources.