The Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco led the Congressman Duke Frasco Friendship Ride and Run event at the scenic Santiago Bay in Camotes Group of Islands in Cebu on Saturday (Sept. 2).

The event, which gathered some 1,000 cyclists and runners, showcased the natural beauty and potential of Camotes as an ideal destination for sports tourism and also for cruise tourism.

In her speech, Frasco said that sports tourism has a huge potential in the country because of the many beautiful destinations that can host various events, such as the long stretch of beach in San Francisco town.

“Apart from this, we also have tourist attractions in the neighboring towns of Tudela, Poro, and Pilar. So through sports tourism we give our tourists, whether domestic or international, a chance to discover Camotes,” she said in Cebuano.

She also mentioned that under the Marcos administration, tourism development will be equal to all regions and that the DOT is expanding its cruise tourism portfolio next year to include ports of call in Cebu.

Frasco also thanked the participants of the event for supporting the local economy and benefitting a wide array of tourism stakeholders such as local hotels, vendors, suppliers, boatmen, transport operators and others.

The event was also attended by Deputy Speaker Duke Frasco, DOT Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, Cebu 5th District Board Member Mike Villamor, Mayors Alfred Arquillano (San Francisco), Gary Rama (Poro), Manuel Winky Santiago (Pilar), Greman Jojo Solante (Tudela), Aljew Frasco (Liloan), Vice Mayor Richard Streegan of Sogod, and other local government officials.