About 10,000 jobs would be created and local tourism activity would be boosted with the designation of several Tourism Enterprise Zones by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority, an official said Friday.
TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid says the TEZs, together with the two new Tourism Enterprises also recently designated by the agency, seek to “generate greater economic benefits for local people and enhance the well-being of host communities, improve working conditions and access to the industry.”
They also aim to “make positive contributions to the conservation of natural resources and cultural heritage of the area of development,” Lapid said.
“Especially with the COVID-1 pandemic, TIEZA understands the direct impact of the travel restrictions in the tourism sector as well as the limited capital outlay for infrastructure development.”
Among the TEZs designated by TIEZA seen to generate jobs are the La Jolla TEZ in Bagac, Bataan, the Boracay Gateway Project TEZ in Nabas, Aklan, and the Neo Aqua Town Center in Bulakan, Bulacan.
Located in Bagac, Bataan, the designated La Jolla TEZ is an area of development that aims to promote sustainable tourism development through environmental conservation, cultural preservation and inclusive growth.
The P2-billion worth of development will generate at least 880 jobs and spur tourism activity in the province.
Meanwhile, the Boracay Gateway Project TEZ is expected to create an estimated 5,247 diverse jobs and livelihoods to integrate the communities in the business’ value chain to improve the quality of lives and create a long-term solution to alleviate conditions of the province.
The Boracay Gateway Project TEZ is a 68.41-hectare general leisure zone situated in the Municipality of Nabas in the province of Aklan.
The project, spearheaded by La Belle Plume Realty Inc., is envisioned to attract and capture the anticipated influx of local and foreign tourists in the region and support the socio economic development in the host municipality by promoting entrepreneurship and business opportunities involving the communities through inclusive business models.
The Neo Aqua Town Center TEZ, on the other hand, is expected to generate 3,977 direct and indirect jobs and provide social development initiatives in its host local community.
This TEZ is located in Bulakan, Bulacan, and covers 161,867-square meters.
It is master planned as an integrated tourism complex which entails the development of an agri-tourism commercial zone, residential zone, convention center, luxury hotel, orchard and wellness zone.