The Department of Tourism (DOT) has opened a new tourist rest area (TRA) in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS), one of the most popular destinations in Davao del Norte.
The TRA, which was inaugurated on Friday, 18 August, is part of the DOT’s initiative to provide travelers with convenient and comfortable facilities while exploring the country’s tourism gems.
The TRA in IGaCoS offers free-to-use and traveler-friendly amenities such as clean restrooms, charging station, lounge area, and a lactation room for breastfeeding mothers. It also has a tourist information area and a pasalubong (souvenir) center where visitors can buy local crafts and products.
The TRA is located near the ferry terminal that connects IGaCoS to Davao City, making it accessible for tourists who want to experience the island’s natural attractions, such as white sand beaches, coral reefs, waterfalls, caves, and wildlife sanctuaries.
The DOT has also completed TRAs in Medellin, Cebu and Manolo Fortich, Bukidnon, and is set to open more TRAs in other key tourism areas, such as Baguio City; Dauis town in Bohol; Pagudpud in Ilocos Norte; the municipalities of Carcar, Carmen, and Moalboal in Cebu; as well as Roxas in Palawan.
Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco said that the DOT plans to establish 15 more TRAs across the country in the coming months, as part of its efforts to enhance the quality of tourism services and infrastructure.
“We want to make sure that our tourists have a pleasant and memorable travel experience in the Philippines. By providing them with these TRAs, we are not only giving them convenience and comfort, but also showcasing our culture and hospitality,” Frasco said.
The DOT also thanked its infrastructure arm, the TIEZA – Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, for its partnership and support in building the TRAs.
The TRAs are part of the DOT’s Tourism Response and Recovery Plan (TRRP), which aims to revive and rebuild the tourism industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic.