Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco inaugurated the new Tourist Rest Area (TRA) and the first-ever Klook Kiosk at Talisay Port, Brgy. Dolo, San Jose, Camarines Sur.
The new facility is designed to enhance the tourism experience by providing essential amenities and information services to both local and international visitors, while the Klook Kiosk will allow tourists to conveniently book local tours and travel services.
The TRA features an information lounge, charging stations, shower rooms, toilets, and facilities catering to women and children. It is also equipped with first aid and medical supplies, rainwater harvesting systems, and a dedicated pasalubong center showcasing local products from San Jose and nearby municipalities.
Frasco underscored President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. Administration’s commitment to enhancing the tourism experience and creating economic opportunities for local communities during the inauguration of the first Tourist Rest Area (TRA) in the Bicol Region and its first-ever Klook Kiosk at Talisay Port, Brgy. Dolo, San Jose, Camarines Sur.
“The Tourist Rest Area program of the Marcos Administration is born out of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s desire to elevate the quality of the Philippine tourism experience, and importantly, to provide added opportunities for economic advancement para sa ating mga kababayan in our tourism destinations,” she said.
The tourism chief emphasized that the TRA aims to support emerging destinations and provide local tourism stakeholders with increased income opportunities.
“Through this Tourist Rest Area, we hope to be able to provide opportunities for emerging destinations to be discovered, to be supported, and for our tourism stakeholders to have added opportunities for income.”
“Through this Tourist Rest Area, we hope to be able to provide opportunities for emerging destinations to be discovered, to be supported, and for our tourism stakeholders to have added opportunities for income,” the tourism head added.
More than 90 TRAs are slated to be completed within the year, underscoring the DOT’s strategic focus on improving tourism infrastructure nationwide.
Frasco highlighted the TRA’s modern amenities designed to offer tourists convenience and comfort, encouraging them to return and explore more of the region.
She also underscored the significance of the DOT’s partnership with Klook in promoting local tourism and making travel bookings more accessible by leveraging the platform’s wide reach and extensive customer base.
“This is only the beginning of the relationship that we wish to be able to establish here.”
“All in all, what I hope that the Tourist Rest Area project conveys is that this is only the beginning of the relationship that we wish to be able to establish here and the measures of support that the Marcos Administration is ready, willing and able to provide for the development of your tourism industry,” Frasco added.
Frasco led the ribbon-cutting of the TRA and the launch of the Klook Kiosk with Camarines Sur 4th District Congressman Arnulf Bryan Fuentebella, San Jose Mayor Jerold Peña, Klook Philippines General Manager Michelle Ho, DOT Undersecretary Ferdinand Jumapao, TIEZA – Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority ACOO Gregory Oller, Director Glenn Albert Ocampo, and DOT Regional Director Herbie Aguas.
