MARIVELES, Bataan -- An overnight summer getaway package tour to the "Little Boracay of Central Luzon" was recently launched by the Central Luzon tourism office and a Pampanga-based travel agency.
Dubbed as #YesMariveles, the Department of Tourism (DOT)-Central Luzon headed by Carolina Uy, officer-in-charge regional director, and LQM Travel and Tours owner Lerma Quiambao launched the said tour recently here.
"In consonance with the directive of DOT-3 OIC Uy to create tour packages within the region while Boracay is temporarily closed for rehabilitation, LQM Travel and Tour Services created and organized #YesMariveles as an alternate tourist destination," said Quiambao who is also the president of the Pampanga Agents Travel Society (Pats).
"It is the first ever package tour in Mariveles organized by a Pampanga-based travel agency," she added.
Getting the needed dose of "Vitamin Sea" in a pristine and clean beach, exploring the Sisiman cove, some water sports activities, and a historical tour at Mt. Samat were some of the highlights of the said tour according to Quiambao.
The tour joiners arrived at the Camaya Coast after a three-hour drive to the southern tip of Bataan from Balibago in Angeles City. They were welcomed by Polytechnic University of the Philippines' (PUP) Banda Kawayan Pilipinas (Bamboo Band Philippines).
LQM Travel and Tour offers an introductory rate of P3,700 for the #YesMariveles tour package. It includes a round trip transportation, overnight hotel accommodation at the Oriental Hotel based on twin sharing, day tour at Camaya Coast and a tour at the Dambana ng Kagitingan in Mt. Samat, breakfast and dinner, Mt. Samat entrance fee, travel insurance and tour coordinators, among others.
Other activities include kayaking, inflatable adventure and swimming at the Tier Pool/Beachcoming in Camaya Coast.
On the next day, after shopping for tinapa (smoked fish) and dried fish in Balanga Public Market Bataan, the group went to Bataan Tourism Center where they watched a five-minute audiovisual presentation about the province of Bataan.
Quiambao also expressed thanks to DOT-Central Luzon, Camaya Coast management and the Oriental Hotel group for the hospitality and support during the said tour.
For inquiries, LQM Travel and Tour Services is located at Room 6, 1/F Plaza Romana bldg. Mc Arthur Highway, Dau Mabalacat Pampanga with tel. nos. (045) 331 1356, (045) 331 1036 and cel.no. 09060660521/09198744984 or email at lqmtravel@yahoo.com.ph. (Astrud Q. Aguinaldo)