MARAWI CITY, Lanao del Sur (PIA)--The newly-reconstituted Provincial Tourism, Culture and Arts Council (PTCAC) convened Wednesday, May 10, to discuss ways to boost the tourism industry in Lanao del Sur.

The members tackled the tourism situation in the province, the Provincial Tourism Office's efforts in the last five years, and the tourism challenges and opportunities.

The tourism profile of the province including that of Marawi City and the municipalities of Wao, Tugaya, Butig, Balindong, and Ganassi were also presented.

Since the Council is composed of public and private stakeholders, the vital role of players in the tourism value chain, especially the private sector, in addressing the challenges in tourism development was further highlighted. 

The Provincial Tourism Office said an annual average of 62,777 tourists visited the province from 2008 to 2017, with the lowest record in 2010 at 38,245 tourists and the highest in 2017 at 145,947. The municipality of Wao recorded the most number of tourists followed by Marawi City.

PTCAC was reconstituted through Executive Order No. 007 signed by Acting Governor Mohammad Khalid Adiong on April 26, 2023 with the Provincial Governor as the honorary chairperson. 

As such, the Council elected its chairperson from the private sector and vice-chairpersons for the government and the private sector before adjournment. (APB/PIA-10/Lanao del Sur)