02 Feb Tawi-Tawi Province Reached 1 Million Tourist Arrivals in 2016
Image Source | Jacob Maentz
In a report from Sun.Star Davao, Department of Tourism-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (DOT-ARMM) Regional Secretary Ayesha Vanessa Hajar Dilangalen shared on January 30, 2017 that in 2016, the province of Tawi-Tawi reached around 1 million tourist arrivals, during a discussion held at the Coffee Grounds, Quezon Boulevard, Davao City. With the province’s booming tourism, Tawi-Tawi can contribute in boosting the economy of ARMM despite of the security issues that the province is facing.
Based on the records, about 10 percent of the tourist arrivals are from foreign tourists mostly coming from Malaysia, particularly Muslims, who annually visit the Sheik Karim al Makdum Mosque which is the first and oldest mosque in the Philippines that was built way back in 1380. While the number of domestic tourist arrivals come from Luzon who are attracted to the beautiful and untouched beaches of the province. To mention, the tourist attractions in Tawi-Tawi are the Sheik Karim al Makdum Mosque in Simunul, Panampangan Island, Bud Bongao Peak, Turtle Island, Sitangkai Island, and others.
Dilangalen stressed that tourists shall first coordinate with the local government unit for their security and safety. However, she added that tourists are very safe with the “tourism police” being distributed around the area.
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