Section 6Sec./Art. 6

Provincial Tourism Development Plan. The DOT, in coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), shall assist the Province of Batanes in the formulation of the Provincial Tourism Development Plan that shall be complemented by a set of guidelines and standards for a responsible, community-based ecotourism. The tourism development plan shall ensure the preservation of the natural sites, the cultural and historic significance of identified tourist attractions, and respect for Ivatan culture and traditions, and shall include the following components:

(a) Carrying capacity of sites;

(b) Specific site assessments;

(c) Identification of strategic priorities;

(d) Product development for local income generation;

(e) Capacity-building for local communities so residents therein can ably manage economically viable and responsible, community-based ecotourism business enterprises;

(f) Support for the formation of local production groups and networks, including the marketing and pricing of products; and

(g) Marketing strategies that reflect the natural, cultural, social and environmental integrity of Batanes.

The process of developing the Tourism Master Plan shall be participatory, from the bottom up, with the framework provided by the DOT, the DENR, the NCIP, and the NCCA, in consultation with the provincial and municipal governments.