PAOLO: Virtual greetings ma’am and classmates, for today we’ll be presenting our selected regional

tourist destination and the chosen best practices that can be potentially adopted here in our
country. Next slide, our selected tourist site is the Callao Cave as we believe this will highlight the
place and for us to be able to know the possible practices that we can acquire and learn.

To give you a short background, Calao Cave is one of the largest cave systems in the Philippines and
can be found at Penablanca, Cagayan at the Sierra Madre Mountain Range. The cave system features
large chambers amounting up to a total of seven with magnificent large stalactites, stalagmites, and
columns that illuminate at dark. This cave system is a must-visit when you happen to pass by
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley's capital city where Callao Cave is just about 25 kilometers away.

NICA: Moreover, the Callao Cave is an important part of the country's pre-historic past as a human
metatarsal was found in this cave last 2007 which antedates to about 67,000 years. A whopping
20,000 years older than the one found in the Tabon Cave of Palawan which was thought of as the
first inhabitants of the Philippine archipelago. The area where Callao cave is situated is composed
of several cave system which includes the Sierra Cave and many others. Unfortunately, the Sierra
cave visit is by appointment by local tourist officers.

JEROME: In addition, Callao Cave is among the most popular caves in the Philippines and the best-
known tourist attraction of Cagayan Province. It is located in Barangays Magdalo and Quibal in the
town of Peñ ablanca, an approximate 30-minute ride from Tuguegarao, Callao Cave is one of more
than 300 caves in the vicinity of Peñ ablanca Protected Landscape and Seascape. Callao Cave is made
up of seven chambers and various formations namely: the Column, Chapel, Skeleton, Elephant’s
Head, Praying Angel, Rocket, Lion’s Head, and Dog’s Head Formations. The Chapel is the main
attraction of the cave (and of the whole Cagayan), it is being featured in many tourism ads and
postcards, and it is a chamber that locals turned into a cathedral. The place draws a dramatic
picture as the skylight illuminates the hall through its opening.

CHLORENE:Callao Cave is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Cagayan. If you are
looking for adventure and are tired of going to the beach, this cave is a must-see. You will
undoubtedly enjoy the sights and remember the times you spent in this province.

Aside from exploring the vast Callao Cave, well here's a list of activities you can do to make the most
of your time in Callao.

 Spelunking in Callao Cave (Entrance Fee: P25.00/person)

 Boat riding and swimming in Mororan River
 Watching thousands of bats fly out from Callao Cave. The best view is from the Mororan
River at around 6 pm.
 Kayak or boat ride in Pinacanauan River (P300.00/boat)
 Visiting the Our Lady of Piat Basilica Minore.

DAVE: Now, after presenting a background about the Calao Cave our chosen destination, we dig
deep with the discussion as we’ll be going to present the best practices that is applicable to Calao
Cave. Best practices are activities, policies or programs that generate high commendable results
and worth emulating by other similar entities or communities. Here in the Philippines, there are
numerous best practices implemented by local government units, as well as the private sector in
the area of heritage tourism.

For the first best practice, as for the Marketing of the heritage destinations and sites
(inspired by the marketing strategy of Iloilo City & Cebu City):

We believe that one of the best strategies is mass media and word of mouth. All advertisements
should consistently show the beauty and character of the site itself with the use of digitalization
branding for its promotion. They are captured in stunning, excellently written features and
promotional articles and strong social media presence in all possible applications. Through the use
of word of mouth this will help preserve the image and branding of the site and will lure investors
and tourists alike.

ZYMONE: Second best practice is from the CAVE MANAGEMENT, PROTECTION AND
CONSERVATION STRATEGY OF DENR PHILIPPINES.

 Cave resource assessment — inventory and mapping of caves; classification and

documentation of biological, geological, hydrological, palaeontological, archaeological,
historical resources, and other relevant cave information
 Resource management and utilization — regulation of the consumptive and non
consumptive uses of caves and cave resources

SHAIRA:
 Visitor management — development of caves for ecotourism; regulation of cave visitors
and their impacts. Visitor management involves regular monitoring and assessment of
visitor number and impacts. Cave tourism involves recreational activities with varying
degrees of excitement and difficulties, ranging from simply viewing rock formations in show
caves to more strenuous and adventurous 19 exploration in deep caves. In both passive and
active recreational activities, respect for caves is crucial to minimize environmental impact
while ensuring human safety and enhanced tourist experience
 Education, and public awareness — promotion of public awareness, appreciation, and
understanding of the importance and benefits of caves and cave resources; cave protection
and conservation. The cave handlers must published several information materials in
support of the Cave Act and other cave policies and regulations. These materials provide
policy and management guidelines not only to cave managers, spelunkers and tour
operators but also to the general public.

NOBHEM:
 Human resource development — improving manpower capability to manage and
conserve caves through trainings and workshops. Organize capacity building activities for
selected staff and members of to increase their technical capacity and skills on cave
 management and conservation. These activities are in the form of practical training on cave
assessment, classification, mapping, cave rescue, and field research.
 Research and development — implementation of research and developmental projects in
support of policy development, management, and protection of caves.

DAVE: For the third one we adopted the practice of Peru in managing many heritage sites and that
is to Train Local Communities to do excellent tour guiding, we believe that this would instill greater
pride in the cultural treasure, enhance the consciousness on preservation efforts, and provide a
means of livelihood for the rural people.

NICA: In addition, we also adopted the vital best practice demonstrated by the country Slovenia
which is to Form Partnerships,, they partnered with schools not only for an apprenticeship but for
employment of guides and staff and even management of many functions in the operation of
heritage sites and events. This attribute of empowerment and inclusivity allows a fresh flow of new
and bright ideas from younger members of the team. Which we believe that is vital and necessary
for the development and marketing of our chosen destination.

JASMINE: Heritage Property: Skocjan cave Best Practices that can be potentially
implemented:

 Conservation: Managing visitors to the area. One of the main tasks is to properly manage
the visitors to the area, especially in the high season. To reduce the impacts to the cave in
the high season visitors are guided to the different parts of the park and the buffer zone.
Additionally, all groups have to be booked in advance and the school's visits are organized
out of the high season.

 Innovation: The cave management plan includes all interventions which are planned to be
carried out in the cave, such as renovation of the cave infrastructure, illumination, taking
out all the used material that was brought to the cave, renaturation of the cave when
needed, etc.

JESICA:Site: Dupnisa Cave, Turkey SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (VISITORS)

Cave visits by recreational visitors are regulated to avoid accidents. Examples of such restrictions
are seasonal and daily timing of visits to avoid risks, closure to parts of caves close to flowing water
and loose rocks, time limits on visits, supervision of visitors by guides or security guards, and
restrictions on the use of lights within caves.

JASMINE: To sum it all up, it is a good step that we benchmark to other countries their best
practices in terms of the proper management and marketing of the heritage sites while giving
importance to their heritage treasures. This will surely be a stepping stone for our country to adopt
and be open for changes as this will not only help to preserve and protect our heritage sites but it
will also help us to boost our tourism.