ILOILO – Tourists visiting the famous Gigantes Island in Carles town were urged to report unregulated tourist operators and opportunistic resort owners.
Carles mayor Seigfredo Betita on Monday said he received negative feedbacks on tour operators and some resorts in the tourist destination.
He added the local government unit, through its municipal tourism office, already set up tourist assistance booths to respond to the queries and other needs of the visitors.
“One of the problems there is transportation. There are people approaching tourists and offering a ride,” Betita said.
He added they have barred fixers and unaccredited tour operators in Gigantes Island and in Bancal port, which is the jump-off point from the mainland to the island.
“We disallowed unaccredited tour operators there but there are some opportunistic people (who) want to create money. They (tourists) should not entertain fixers. They should go to the booth and inquire,” Betita said.
The mayor added some resort and business owners in Gigantes set overpriced fees on services but he said tourists can drop their complaints at complaints sections and suggestion boxes provided by the local government units.
“I always tell them that if you want repeat customers, you should look for ways to make them come back. The customer will choose you if you are responsive to their needs. Without them, your business will not exist,” Betita said.
The concern on unregulated fixers and erring resort owners has come to the knowledge of the Department of Tourism (DOT)-6.
DOT-6 director Helen Catalbas last week recommended a three-month closure of the tourism site.
She said she recommended the same during a meeting with former Iloilo governor Arthur Defensor Sr. before the May elections.
“If the people of Carles and Gigantes want to save and put order to the island, I recommended a three-month temporary closure. If the place is not well taken care of, it (would be) worse than Boracay Island,” Catalbas added.
Aside from the unregulated tour operators and erring business establishments, Catalbas said the island also faces a problem with waste management.
Meanwhile, Betita backed the recommended temporary closure of Gigantes Island.
“We need help also of the region and the province,” he said.
“I am not objecting to the closure. It is good that we temporarily close Gigantes for the resort owners to also know what is wrong and we can change their mindset. The closure is good for the tourism industry,” Betita added.
The local government of Carles has ordered a one-month closure of the Tangke saltwater lagoon, the number one tourist attraction in the island.
Betita said the closure from Sept. 1 to 30 aims to rehabilitate the lagoon.(With a report from PNA/PN)
