Tourism Industry

Caraga is home to 499 breathtaking tourism sites. Among these are 102 beaches, 72 waterfalls, 45 caves, and 32 lakes, all waiting to be discovered and explored. A number of these sites remain untouched by human hands. Various investment opportunities are available for the development of these sites is estimated at P 10 billion.

Beaches

102

Waterfalls

72

Caves

45

Lakes

32

Springs

27

Archeological/Historical sites

25

Mountains

18

Islands

36

Industrial Plant

11

Parks

39

Forest

5

Wildlife Reserve

3

Rivers

10

Festivals

34

Events/Adventure

9

Others

55

Total

499

A promising area for the region is ecotourism. The region has a lot of eco-tourism assets such as the surfing areas in Siargao, Agusan Marsh in Agusan del Sur, and the beaches in Agusan del Norte and Surigao del Sur.

The members of the Tourism Cluster are from the hotel and restaurant business, inns and lodging house owners, tour operators, ticketing offices, and transport service providers. Other members are from the academe, concerned government agencies and local government units.

To develop the local tourism industry, the cluster has identified the following strategies:

1. Aggressive Tourism Marketing & Promotion Programs

2. Establishment of Investors’ Assistance Center for Tourism

3. Improve infra support facilities

4. Strengthen tourism-related organizations & Cluster Organization

5. Capability-building for tourism manpower

6. Enhance travel & tour services

7. Develop attractive & affordable tour packages

Local Players

A. Tourism Related Establishments

Tourism-related establishments or TRE as forefront providers of tourism services undergo an accreditation process to ensure that standards of operation are followed to meet the maximum satisfaction of tourists. This procedure is instituted by the Department of Tourism. In an effort to strengthen the private sectors' involvement in the industry, DOT initiated the creation of an organization that will give stronger identity to TRE operators and help them in their promotional efforts. This gave birth to the following associations:

Butuan and Agusan del Norte Hotel and Restaurant Association or BAHARA
Surigao City Association of Hotels and Restaurants Inc. (SCAHARI)
Surigao del Sur Hotel and Restaurant Association or SSHARA

B. Homestay Providers

The Homestay Program was initiated by the Department of Tourism in areas where accommodation facilities are limited. The houses of residents who can accommodate visitors for a night or two were inspected and went through accreditation procedures. These owners were then briefed to basic tourism services trainings. The following have established homestay areas:

· Dapa, Surigao del Norte

· Jabonga, Agusan del Norte

· San Agustin, Surigao del Sur

· Cagwait, Surigao del Sur

· Lanuza, Surigao del Sur

· Nonoc Island, Surigao City

· Burgos, Siargao Island

· Sta. Monica, Siargao Island

· Zaragoza, Surigao City

· Bunawan, Agusan del Sur

· San Francisco, Agusan del Sur

C. Tour Operators

Caraga has a very limited number of local tour operators. There are only seven tour operators in the region, four of which are based in Butuan City and three from Surigao City. The services offered are mostly limited to air and sea ticketing only.

Butuan City

· Almont Tours and Travels

· Purple Horizon

· Butuan Travel and Tours

· Adventure Tours

Surigao City

· Fare Travel & Tours

· Nickel City Travel & Tours

· Geografika Travel & Tours