Siargao Island losing tourist visitors due to high fees, says Tourism Council prexy

Surigao Del Norte (9 August) -- The island of Siargao is losing the would-be visitors because of its high fees of tourism activities in the surfing capital.

Newly inducted president of Provincial Tourism and Development Council (PTDC) Johann Jake Miranda said he received a number of complaints by some resort owners regarding the unregulated fees of tourism activities such as pump boat, van, tricycle, and habal-habal rentals in the island.

"There have been a number of complaints of the local and foreign tourists regarding these exorbitant fees."

At present, van rentals in Siargao cost P500, tricycle rental is P250, P30 each riding individually in tricycles and P200/person for habal-habal motorcycle.

Miranda said that resort owners were also dismayed because some of their fellow resort owners are paying commissions to van drivers who will bring guests to their resorts. "It's an unfair practice because not all of them can afford to give that kind of commission."

According to Miranda, there's also a report from some resort owners that "some homes in Gen. Luna accept lodgers which should not be allowed since their homes are not accredited by the Department of Tourism and it robs the accredited inns and resorts in the business." Miranda emphasized that the municipality of Gen. Luna does not have a home stay program because there are "sufficient number of resorts in the town to accommodate these tourists."

Miranda also revealed the exorbitant fees in going to the famous Sohoton Cove that discourages the local and foreign tourists.

"You have to rent a boat for P500 and on that boat you have to pay the guides which are at the minimum of two (2) guides per boat at P165/person. There's also this silly fee that if you want to dive in that lagoon where the non-toxic jellyfish is located, you'd have to pay P100/person for a dip in that lagoon," said Miranda.

"All in all, a group of four or six tourists going to Sohoton will first pay for the boat rental from Gen. Luna to Sohoton which should only be charged with P4,000 but some resorts charged about P6,000 to P8,000 just to go there," he added.

According to Miranda on average for a group of four to six tourists, they will have to shell out P2,000/person, "which for a lot of tourists, they find it very exorbitant? very expensive."

Miranda said that Sohoton Cove being such an enchanting place losses its luster and appeal because of these fees by some local entrepreneurs and has so far become unregulated by the government.

Tourism council action

"We now have a plan to establish a uniform rates, aside from that, the resort owners would also like to establish the uniform rates for the popular 3-island tour, which is the island tour of Guyam, Daku island and Naked island to be pegged at only P1,500," said Miranda who now heads the re-organized PTDC and currently the outgoing President of the Surigao Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI).

"For a trip to Guyam itself, it should only be P500," Miranda added.

In anticipation of the influx of tourist arrivals in the island, Miranda also revealed that they are now planning to post the tariff rates right at the port of Dapa and in Gen. Luna, "so that everyone will get informed and that there will be no haggling of fees."

With these regularization and uniformity of fees, Miranda is hopeful that it will definitely help both the resort owners and the tourists in the island.

As for the problem in Sohoton, Miranda said there's now a proposal to dismantle these local entrepreneurs currently operating in the area. "We'll have to talk to the LGU (Socorro) and the barangay captain and if they failed to address the problem or regulate the fees, we have the mandate to dismantle these groups who are apparently creating a cartel there." (PIA-Surigao del Norte)

Siargao Island - Cloud 9 Surfing Cup 2010

07/08/2010 - The Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational surfing cup is the most anxiously awaited international surfing sports event in Asia. It will be held this year also in Siargao Island. It is a pleasant steamy island site with its peaceful life style offering a wonderful place for this surfing event. Surfers from the countries like Malaysia, Japan, New Zealand, Hawaii, Philippines, Indonesia, and Bali etc will represent their countries for this surfing cup event at Club 9. The participation from the viewers will be much greater if the storm occurrence will be reported earlier. It is famous for having world’s top surfing waves, so nick named clod nine.

The invitational surfing cup of 2010 is scheduled from 24th to 30th September. It is offering surfers to display their talent. Spectators from around the world are expecting that it would be a superb event and wishing to enjoy it with typhoon flavour. In the last 2009 surfing championship of Siargao Island conducted from October 21 to 27, Garrett beat Hawaiian in the final surfing cup challenge. Now 2010 surfing event in Siargao will attract the world top surfing players and champions. Nick Vasicek, Jay Quinn, Jamie O’Brien, Makua Rothman and Ryan Hipwood from Australia, New Zealand and Hawaii will be among the top contestants of this coming event.

It is considered as the most striking island destinations of the Philippines presenting opportunities for surfing photography. Siargao is closest to the Philippine Deep which is the second deepest ocean trench. The slanting structure on Siargao’s East coast is besides General Luna Town making it exceptional. Barrelling, empty and perfect waves of Cloud 9, ranging from 1-1.5 meters high to 2-3 meter high barrels have made this part of Pacific Ocean more attractive for surfers. This part of Pacific Ocean is under the typhoon-belt so typhoon waves don’t hit Siargao Island directly. Siargao Island offers great atmosphere during monsoon season which is loved by all enthusiastic surfers. What makes this event special and different from standard surfing style is that the challengers will be deciding under which conditions they would like to surf.

If you have any interest in watching surfing challenges, action sports photography and living at steamy Island sites, then Siargao would be the best site for you to visit and enjoy with 2010 Billabong Cloud 9 Invitational surfing cup. Direct flight can be taken from Mactan Cebu International Airport or Manila to reach Siargao airport. You can even take ferryboat daily before noon to take view of this island and to get pleasure from its aquatic wildlife.

Siargao Island adventure tour can be the luxurious adventure of your life with your friends, sailing boat, drinks and delicious food. It has atmosphere for day/night fishing adventure. You can enjoy swimming at low tide and even in natural swimming pools. Caving discoveries in this island also bring a new look to your adventurous tour. Island also has some caves yet not discovered by men. Jungles enriched with wildlife have their own beauty. You can’t find much exciting stuff for shopping but while visiting island you can buy some local made products. Communicating with the people of different back grounds came with different objectives is a good source of sharing experiences. In Siargao Island Lovers Lane was established in 2005 to attract tourist. Disco clubs and snack bars are opened late night to entertain visitors. You can also find some bar girls who offer you a little more than just conversation. Rent a kayak or paddle boat to explore the cost line completely.

Accommodation and hostelling services in Siargao Island vary in price and form. Islands adjacent to Siargao are offering wonderful environment to enjoy other sports. Beautiful hotel nights and splendid sea shore have couple of entertainment facilities. To attract more visitors no spectators’ fee will be charged and other water sports activities will also be held. Above all visitors from different part of the world will built an outstanding multicultural and diversified community for sharing experiences and ideas. (Sam Willis)