KORONADAL CITY, South Cotabato (PIA) -- SOCCSKSARGEN Region's Department of Tourism (DOT XII) presented 16 tour circuits that tour operators may offer to visitors coming to SOX (short for SOCCSKSARGEN).
Tourism Regional Director Nelia Arina, during the 2023 SOX Tourism Summit Friday, said these products, which were created after comprehensive site validation, are being offered for "tour operators to create their own tour packages from."
"We are gearing up for a total tourist experience. From the time a tourist arrives at our destination until the time that the tourist leaves our region and all the days in between, we want them to have a total cultural SOCCSKSARGEN Filipino experience," Director Arina said.
Anchored on the regional tourism brand Culture, Adventure, and Nature, these tourism circuits include the following:
Flavor of SOX Tours
Tau SOX Tours
Tuna and Champions Tours
Mt. Apo Foot and Climb Tours
Lake Sebu Tours
Lake Holon Tours
Sarangani Bay Tours
Asik-Asik Tours
River Tubing Tours
Tres Andanas Tours
Matigol Falls Tours
La Palmera Tours
Sultan Kudarat Hills Tours
Sarbay Dive Tours
KALEPA Dive Tours
Each circuit the regional tourism chief explained is a combination of tangible and intangible elements such as natural, cultural, and man-made resources, attractions, facilities, services, and activities.
For example, Tau SOX Tours invites visitors to "discover the rich and vibrant culture of the people of the SOX Region. Stay in a homestay in a local Blaan or Tboli village and experience the simple ways of life of the locals. Learn about their history, traditions, and customs by participating in cultural activities such as textile weaving, food sampling, local tours, and dance and song rites."
Visitor destinations that tour operators may include in Tau SOX Tours consist of Lamlifew Blaan Cultural Village in Malungon, Sarangani; Maitum Burial Jars in Maitum, Sarangani; Fu Yabing Weaving Center in Polomolok, South Cotabato; Lemsnolon Homestay in Tboli, South Cotabato; Blaan Wellnes Village in Polomolok, South Cotabato; New Israel Eco-Adventure Park in Makilala, Cotabato Province; Tboli Ken (Food Tour) in Tboli; Surallah Tri-people Monument in Surallah, South Cotabato; and Lake Cruise, Tnalak Tour, and Seven Falls Zipline in Lake Sebu, South Cotabato.
Arina emphasized that these visitor industry products will be further enhanced based on the recommendations of tourists and sustained site validation and assessment.
The tourism summit on September 22 came up with a resolution "adopting the 16 tour circuits as official tour circuits of the SOX Region," which Director Arina will present for approval of the Regional Development Council XII in its fourth quarter meeting in December. (DED -- PIA SOCCSKSARGEN)
