Tourism development should go beyond drawing more visitors by ensuring their safety, comfort and dignity while creating economic opportunities for local communities, tourism officials said Thursday as they formally opened a new PHP10-million Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in Siargao Island.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) inaugurated the facility in General Luna, which was completed in August 2026 with PHP10 million in funding from TIEZA.

The opening comes two days before the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour at Cloud 9 kicks off on Oct. 31, with the event expected to draw a surge of travelers to the island until Nov. 10.

The inauguration was led by DOT Undersecretary Maria Victoria Jasmin, TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, Surigao del Norte Gov. Robert Lyndon Barbers, General Luna Mayor Johnson Sajulga and DOT Caraga Regional Director Ivonnie Dumadag.

Barbers welcomed the facility, emphasizing its role in providing essential services to domestic and foreign tourists visiting the island.

Lapid said funding for the new TRA came from travel tax collections administered by TIEZA.

“Fifty percent of the travel tax goes to TIEZA, 40 percent to the Commission on Higher Education, and 10 percent to the National Commission for Culture and the Arts,” Lapid said.

He added that TIEZA’s 50 percent share is used to support tourism infrastructure projects across the country. The agency collected PHP8.78 billion in travel taxes in 2025, giving it about PHP4.39 billion for such projects.

Aside from the TRA on Siargao Island, Lapid said TIEZA is funding two other tourism infrastructure projects in Surigao del Norte, including projects at the Day-asan Mangrove in Surigao City and in the municipality of Mainit.

Jasmin, in her keynote address, highlighted the importance of the TRA in improving the overall experience of visitors to one of the country’s premier island destinations.

“Siargao draws visitors from around the world with its beautiful landscapes, vibrant communities and its world-renowned waves. But beyond these attractions that bring tourists to our shores, we must also ensure that the quality of their experience reflects the warmth and excellence of Filipino hospitality,” Jasmin said.

She said the facility will provide travelers with clean and comfortable restrooms, lounge spaces, showers, charging stations and access to local products.

“Tourism development goes beyond increasing visitor arrivals. The quality of a destination is also measured by how well it safeguards the health, safety, comfort, and dignity of all its visitors,” Jasmin said.

She added that the TRA will provide a platform for micro, small and medium enterprises and community producers to showcase and market their products.

“This facility will connect tourism with local livelihood and ensure that the benefits of tourism reach our communities,” Jasmin said.

Other municipal officials also attended the inauguration. (PNA)