DOT exec classifies T’nalak festival as a ‘unique tourism product’

KORONADAL CITY, Philippines — The Department of Tourism on Friday vowed to continuously promote domestically and internationally the T’nalak Festival of South Cotabato as a "unique tourism product" of the country. Tourism Undersecretary Oscar P. Palabyab, also the national coordinator for the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area, appeared bullish over the tourism potentials of the T’nalak Festival. The festival ended Friday with tens of thousands of spectators lining up the streets and converging at a stadium to watch various groups of street dancers strutting ethnic-inspired choreography in colorful costumes. "We should not only promote beaches but also unique festivals such as yours that reflect cultural richness," Mr. Palabyab told the crowd. With the help of the Tourism department’s regional directors across the country, he said that T’nalak festival can further attract domestic and foreign tourists. Last year, tourist arrivals in the country reached three million, contributing $4.8 billion to the economy, Mr. Palabyab said, adding that a foreign tourist stays in the country for an average of 16 days. With the cultural dancing he witnessed on the streets, he noted that T’nalak Festival can already be considered "an international tourism" event. But he cited the need for a massive promotional blitz. Senate Majority leader Francisco N. Pangilinan also hailed the provincial government for staging the T’nalak Festival, now on its ninth year. The T’nalak Festival’s culmination every July 18 coincides with the province’s foundation anniversary. The province is now 42 years old. "The festival, which is ’unique’ to me, is good because it allows more income for small businesses like those who are selling drinks, foods and souvenir items," Mr. Pangilinan told the crowd. — R.S. Sarmiento, BusinessWorld