SAN AGUSTIN, Surigao del Sur – In an effort to attract more tourists, both foreign and domestic, the local government unit (LGU) here, in corroboration with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and Department of Tourism (DoT) on Monday launched the “Britania Island Tour Packages” (BITPAC) in this town.

The municipal government here, along with the DILG and DoT launched the BITPAC project after noting the influx of tourists coming from across the country and abroad to the scenic Britania Islands here.

The tour packages include island hopping, snorkeling, boat sailing, caving, bird watching, shell gathering and mangrove tour which promote the ecotourism industry of Britania Islands.

The LGU here and other concerned government agencies said the new tour program is expected to lure more tourists to see and experience a new and exotic place in this town and other tourism areas in the Caraga Region.

The tour initiative was developed by the community through the 5Ps (Panibagong Paraan sa Pagpapalakas ng Pamahalaang Panlokal) program dubbed “Building the Community, Building the Eco-tourism Industry” in corroboration with the DILG, DoT, and the Local Government Academy (LGA), and in coordination with the provincial government under the new leadership of Surigao del Sur Gov. Johnny Pimentel.

Britania was chosen as a recipient of the tour project through the efforts, ingenuity, hard work, and dedication of its project proponent, said DILG Surigao del Sur Provincial Director Domingo E. Bulabog.

“Not only will this project boost the tourism industry of San Agustin but will also pump-prime the local economy when employment and small industries rise up,” he added.

Meanwhile, Region 13 office of the DILG Director Rene K. Burdeos encouraged the people of Britania to cooperate with the different stakeholders.

He accentuates that the project in Britania, unlike most of the tourist destinations in the country, is a project owned and managed by the community.

The launching of the tour activity showcased the concerted efforts of the Technical Working Group (TWG) of the program and social preparedness of the community for the ecotourism industry.

For her part, Region 13 office of the DoT Director Letty Tan also said the tourism industry in the Caraga Region is vigorously picking up as influx of tourists, both domestic and foreign, is noted at various tourist destinations in the region.

She said the LGUs have a vital role to play in “strengthening the tourism industry” in their respective tourism destinations.