Tourism of Cagayan
Uploaded by
Shendy Anne CatulinTourism of Cagayan
Uploaded by
Shendy Anne CatulinTitle : Tourism Development in Cagayan Valley
Objective : To promote tourism and more investment opportunities in Cagayan Valley
Rationale
Cagayan Valley is composed of five provinces: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya,
and Quirino designated as Region II in the Philippines, dubbed as the “Emerald Freeport” and
considered as the Northern Gateway of the Philippines. It is host to the Cagayan Freeport managed
by the Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) as created and established by Republic Act 7922 under
section 3 which shall cover the entire area embraced by the Municipality of Santa Ana and the
islands of Fuga, Barit, and Mabbag in the Municipality of Aparri, Province of Cagayan. As a matter
of interest, the Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) has received a proposal to convert the
Cagayan North International Airport (CNIA) also known as Lal-lo International Airport (LIA) into
logistics aviation hub that will serve the entire area of CEZA. Sitting on a 150-hectare land with a
control tower and passengers’ lounge, the CNIA has a 2.1-kilometer long, 45-meter wide runway
and can accommodate large aircraft particularly Airbus 320s and Boeing 737s. Moreover, it can
serve domestic flights to other airports in the country and international flights to some countries
such as Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Korea, Australia, New Zealand and China.
Evidently, Cagayan Valley’s economy grew significantly at 7.2 percent in 2017 from its
3.8 percent growth in 2016. Among the three major economic industries, their services continued
to account for the largest share of the region’s economy in 2017 as it contributed 51.1 percent of
the total domestic production. Since the economy of Cagayan Valley is services-based, the
majority of its output is under other services sub-sector to highlight, in Tourism.
Undoubtedly, the Cagayan Province portrays a majestic view under CEZA which has
several famous attractions that includes the Cape Engaño Lighthouse/Cove (USA Survivor 27 and
28 filming area) Siwangag Cove (USA Survivor 27 and 28 filming area), white sand beaches like
Angib, Mapurao, Nangaramoan, Pozo Robo; the Gotan mangrove forest and waterfalls and many
more. Also, to wit some, it hosts casino and other gaming facilities in Sun City Casino in Barangay
Tangatan Buacag Falls at Sta. Clara, Padlas Falls at Casambalangan, Lamesa Falls at Casagan,
Sinago Cove Dumasag River at Rapuli Riding Takuli (a traditional kayak) and firefly watching at
Brgy. Casagan Santa Ana, the Game Fishing hub of the Philippines and the international
decathlons, where athletes run through the rugged terrain of Punta Verde to Cape Engaño, then
dipped in the crystal clear water of the Philippine Sea.
With the aforementioned, it is proper opportunity for Air Asia to invest through opening
an aviation hub in Lal-lo International Airport as CEZA, through its mission and vision which
emphasizes the development of Tourism for the region, and if granting that Air Asia, the first and
only airline that offers low-cost fare and tour packages with their no frills and cost saving
innovations compared to the other airlines such as PAL and Cebu Pacific, will surely offer a higher
quality service in Cagayan Valley. Also, it will be a strong tandem with the Royal Air Philippines,
a chartered airline for International flights exclusively for Chinese tourists from Macau going to
Santa Ana, Cagayan visiting the Cagayan Free Port via Lal-lo International Airport (LIA).
With the abrupt development tourism in Cagayan, supporting amenities such hotels,
casinos and other establishment are continuously being build which can be a strategic market place
to the Lal-lo International Airport, and will be more enhanced if Air Asia Philippines will invest
their logistic services through building its aviation hub. Also, the point of entry or access points
will be larger, given that the only access by land is through Florida and Victory limited to
Tuguegarao City, while access by air is through PAL and Cebu Pacific limited also to Tuguegarao
City and the Royal Air chartered only for Chinese tourists, therefore will also, get a greater scope
of tourist passengers.
The development of Tourism, through opening a low-cost aviation hub is a great avenue
for more business and industrial opportunities especially for domestic operations opening direct
flights from Manila to Lal-lo International Airport that will give a comfortable and light travel for
tourists who will be visiting the Cagayan FreePort Area especially in Santa Ana, Cagayan. To wit,
Santa Ana, Cagayan being more discovered with its natural resources that remarks new tourist
spots , especially its white sand beaches such as the Angib, Palaui, and Pozo Robo, now being
known as the Boracay of the North, that can be an alternative spot for the temporary closure of the
Boracay in Aklan. And to follow, new activities such as snorkeling, sky-diving, fishing, hiking,
archaeological site seeing, legal collection of species will also be an additional business
opportunity and can be an attraction in the inclusion of market especially in promoting tour
packages in the said area.
Conclusively, more Filipinos through the creation of an aviation hub will also get the
chance to explore the beauty of other countries as it will create an easier access flights going the
nearby countries such as China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hongkaong, Macau, Singapore, Australia
and New Zealand.