BUTUAN CITY, Agusan del Sur – The provincial government of this land-lock agricultural-timber province in the Caraga Region has crafted its 2009 to 2015 Tourism Master Development Plan (TMDP).

The TMDP highlighted the presence of natural, cultural, human and capital resources while the tourism management of the province also noted the more than 40,000 hectares Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary.

It also highlighted the support services such as hotels, restaurants, retail shops, hospitals, banks, among others.

Also part of the TMDP are the promotion, marketing efforts, product development, and local government unit (LGU) and non-government organization (NGO) support, it was learned.

The target market for the different tourism sites were also identified as well as the economic, social, environmental and local government impacts of tourism.

“A bright tourism development is already seen when this TMDP will finally move on,” said one of the tourism official of the province.

The TMDP was crafted during a recent three-day tourism strategic planning workshop held at Bolihon Resort in Carmen, Agusan del Norte, early this month.

At least 32 participants from two NGOs, nine municipalities, Provincial Planning Development Office (PPDO), Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO), and National Communities Indigenous People (NCIP) attended the workshop facilitated by Department of Tourism (DoT) in Caraga and National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) also in Caraga Region.

The Agusan del Sur TMDP is intended to be completed by the 1st Quarter of 2010.
The outputs of the workshop will be assessed and enhanced by the technical working group (TWG) from October 29 to 30, this year.

While a subsequent five-day write-shop is scheduled from November 9 to 13, also this year, after which there will be a Stakeholders Consultation on November 26.

On the other hand, tourism site validations for all LGUs in Agusan del Sur will continue until November 7.

“Our province is serious in pursuing the development of its tourism industry,” said Agusan del Sur Gov. Ma. Valentina Plaza.