A series of meetings to amend the Negros Occidental Provincial Tourism Code of 2010 is underway.
This was disclosed by OIC Provincial Tourism Officer Jennylind Cordero at a Focused Group Discussion among the Tourism Council members at Negros Residences, Bacolod City, Wednesday, March 10.
The Negros Occidental Tourism Division with Rhoderick Samonte of the Carlos Hilado Memorial State College in coordination with Board Member Araceli Somosa is spearheading the amendments to the “Tourism Code of the Province of Negros Occidental of 2010” that will adopt international standards of tourism, a press release said.
The amendments will adopt the Declaration of Principles, Policies, and Ethical Conduct in Sustainable Tourism, Responsible Tourism Guide for Tourism Providers and Tourists, Tourism in Time of Pandemic and Health Emergencies and the Creation of the Negros Occidental Sustainable Tourism, Culture and Arts Council, and Promotion and Conservation of Nature-based Tourism Destinations, it said.
The Toolkit for Local Government Units serves as the basis for the amended tourism code in accordance with the key elements of sustainable tourism known as the 5Es: visitor enjoyment, conservation education, environmental protection, stakeholder engagement, and economic benefit, the press release added.
The amended code will serve as a fundamental reference to meet the changing demands of time towards a more efficient, sustainable and inclusive local tourism industry, Cordero said.*