More on Calicoan

Just over two months ago, I devoted this column to Eco-tourism and Calicoan Island.
           
Given the natural beauty of Calicoan, it was not surprising to learn from this newspaper that a resort hotel will be built there at a cost of $160 million or around P8 billion.
           
Even when completion is scheduled for 2009 yet, this is a significant step towards the promotion of tourism in Eastern Samar and the region, as a whole. The on-going improvement of infrastructure that will support tourism promotion will complement this private sector initiative. By then, the Guiuan Airport, with its new terminal and parking space for aircrafts, will be ready for domestic flights from Manila and Cebu and direct flights coming from other countries like Korea and Japan.
           
I will not be surprised also to know that there are other investors, big and small who would join and also put up their versions of resort hotels that will cater to tourists with modest budgets.
           
What we should look out for are the related investments that our local businessmen will put up such as in transportation, trade, and of course, food products. This would largely determine the impact of foreign investments in the local economy, particularly on agri-business and services.
           
We can see the growth of our regional economy far greater than what we have experienced before - in terms of increased production, employment and income.
           
It will experience unprecedented growth and demands on our services and production that will require us to adjust and grow accustomed to.

It is the natural beauty of our surroundings that will lift our socio-economic status. We should just manage it well, so we can preserve it. And, if I may add, we must learn as a region how to be tourist-friendly.