SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) Ilocos will host the first National Surfing Summit (NSS) for the country’s surfing enthusiasts and stakeholders on October 26-29 at the Agora Hall in Thunderbird Resort, Poro Point here.
DOT Ilocos regional director Joseph Francisco Ortega said the summit will serve as a platform to discuss the National Accreditation Standards for Surfing Camps and Surfing Instructors.
“This is also to equip surfing instructors and enthusiasts all over the Philippines with the knowledge and strategies on how to maximize the benefits of surfing in the local community,” Ortega said.
His Excellency President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia- Frasco are expected to deliver their messages in the opening program of the summit on October 27.
The summit is the highlight of the La Union Surfing Break, an annual celebration that marks the start of the surfing season in the Philippines.
The La Union Surfing Break 2022 runs on the four weekends of October.
Anchored on a theme: “Surf’s Up Philippines: Professionalizing the Philippine Surfing Industry,” the summit aims to professionalize and uphold the quality and service excellence of surfing camp operators, surfing instructors, and other tourism practitioners engaged in surfing-related activities in identified surfing destinations in the country.
Through this forum, Ortega said, there is sharing of information that will help improve service excellence and safety on surfing services in the country.
“The summit will also provide a venue for surfing stakeholders to meet and network,” he added.
Expected speakers at the summit are surfing experts, trainers, educators, and professionals, who will share their best practices and expertise that will entice more surfing enthusiasts to visit and surf in the Philippines.
Some of the topics to be discussed during the forum are the following: Surfing the Philippine Waves: Local Perspective; Surfing the World: Global Perspective; Ensuring Quality and Safety Environment in Surfing Destinations: The Importance of Certification and Regulation in Marine Sports Operation; Shaping a Safe Environment: Upholding Quality of Surfing Destinations; The Economy of Surfing; Surfonomics: Global Trends and Economic Impact of Surfing as an Industry; and Upholding the Filipino Brand of Surfing: Professionalizing the Philippine Tourism Industry.
Meanwhile, in recognition of the Philippines’ potential as a surfing destination, the DOT developed the standard to professionalize the industry and to help ensure the safety of tourists engaged in surfing activities in the country with the issuance of DOT Memorandum Circular No. 2020-01 or the Rules and Regulations to Govern the Accreditation of Surfing Camps and Filipino Surfing Instructors.
Among the popular surfing areas in the Philippines are the following: San Juan, La Union; Siargao, Surigao del Norte; Baler, Aurora; Daet, Camarines Norte; Mati, Davao Oriental; Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte; Baras, Catanduanes; San Antonio, Zambales; Real, Quezon; Aparri, Cagayan Valley; and Nagtabon Beach, Palawan. (JCR/AMB/FGL, PIA - 1)
