‘Weeklong activities sisimulan ngayong araw sa pagdiriwang ng Tourism Month 2021 sa Dapitan City’

All-set na ang Dapitan City government sa pagsisimula ng kanilang weeklong activities na mag-uumpisa ngayong araw September 24 hanggang September 30,2021 bilang pagdiriwang sa Tourism Month 2021 na may temang “Tourism for Inclusive Growth”, sa kabila ng nararanasang Covid-19 pandemic sa bansa.

Ayon kay Dapitan City Tourism Officer Ms Apple Marie Agolong, ibat-ibang aktibidad ang kanilang inihanda at kaniyang sinisiguro na hindi ito lumalabag sa health protocols na itinakda ng IATF.

“We are ready to start the rest of the activities lined up for the celebration of the Tourism Month.Dapitan is a recipient of two seminars which were held in preparation for the Kaluto ni Rizal Cooking Contest. We had been attending DOT’s Zoom Tourism 101 since Monday and DILG’s Layag Discussion Series and last Wednesday was the premier showing of the Quasi Documentary of Dapitan during Pandemic Times. Good luck to all the contestants,” mensahe ni Ms. Agolong.

Sinabi ni Agolong ang siyudad ng Dapitan sa Probinsiya ng Zamboanga del Norte ay hitik sa historical sites at sa mga breathtaking natural landscapes. Ang siyudad ay kilalang “Shrine City of the Philippines” ang lugar kung saan apat na taon na exile ang Pambansang Bayani na si Dr. Jose Rizal.

“ Tourists come to experience a harmonious blend of manmade architectural prowess, the beauty of nature, and the hospitality of the people that the city can offer. Through the Dapitan City Tourism Office’s endeavours,” pahayag ni Agolong.

Kabilang sa mga nakalinyang aktibidad ay ang Urban Adventure Race, Paseo de Dapitan Fashion Competition, Kaluto ni Rizal Cooking Contest, Photo Walk Contest, Photo Exhibit activities at magkakaroon din ng commemorative program kung saan gagawin ito sa Rizal Shrine at sa mismong City Plaza ng siyudad.

“ Thankfully, Dapitanons can enjoy themselves during Tourism Month without straying too far from home with all the activities lined up for September. The Dapitan Tourism Office will try to ensure a safe and responsible Tourism Month Celebration locally,”dagdag pa ni Ms. Agolong.

Nakatakda rin ipagdiriwang ng Dapitan City ang ika-390th year of Christianity sa darating na October 9-12,2021.

Hinikayat naman ni Agolong ang publiko maging ang mga turista na bukod sa mga nakalinyang aktibidad ay maaari din silang bumisita sa famous Dapitan sites kabilang ang Rizal Shrine at iba pang landmarks na may kaugnayan sa ating bayani na si Dr. Jose Rizal.

Ipinagmamalaki din ni Agolong ang Plaza ng Dapitan kung saan makikita ang monumento ni Rizal at ang Relief Map ng Mindanao.

Para naman duon sa mga avid travel junkie, may mga lugar din silang maaaring puntahan sa siyudad kung saan makakakita sila ng mga bagong tanawin, mga lugar na kanilang ma explore, ito ay bukod pa sa famous Dakak Beach Resort.

“Unfortunately, this has not been the reality for everyone for more than a year now. The pandemic the world is experiencing has hindered an essential part of the tourism industry. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on people in a lot of ways. A lot of industries have taken a blow from it as well, where the tourism sector is hardest hit. Health protocols advised staying inside, no travelling, and no gatherings. Slowly but surely, local government of Dapitan has been opening its tourism back up amidst the health crisis,” pahayag ni Agolong. (Bishop Jesus “Jemba” M. Basco)