Camiguin ready to host international tourists, events

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Camiguin province is poised to become one of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (Asean) most sought-after tourist and event destinations as two local hotel chains are expanding their business in the province. This was according to Governor Maria Luis Romualdo, who identified the Cagayan de Oro hotel chains as Limketkai and Mallberry.

Limketkai will construct its own hotel in Mahinog, while Mallberry will expand its existing hospitality business in Catarman, Camiguin Governor Romualdo said.

With the completion of these two new hotels, Romualdo said Camiguin will be ready to accommodate any events, including those organized by the Asean.

“Camiguin will never back out [in] hosting any major event,” the governor said.

On top of its white sand beaches, Camiguin is known for its Lanzones Festival, held on the last week of October.

The Lanzones Festival, an event feting the bountiful harvest of lanzones, which is abundant in the island, has been a crowd-drawer every year.

Last year, the Asean Center for Biodiversity declared Camiguin’s Mts. Timpoong and Hibok-Hibok natural ranges as Asean Heritage Parks, one of the few areas in the Philippines that is recognized as such. The declaration also put Camiguin on the Asean map.

With this recognition, Romualdo said, it won’t be long for citizens of Asean member-countries to visit Camiguin.

“We will never say no to anyone who would want to come and visit us. Yes, we are now ready for them,” she said, referring to the potential tourists from the Southeast Asian region.

The governor added that although the whole of Mindanao is still under martial law, tourists still flock to the island for the Lanzones Festival and to enjoy its numerous attractions and amenities.