AEPI Anton Carag is Most Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneur
All tourism industry prime movers in the country will be meeting at the Tourism Negosyo Expo 2007 on March 2-4, 2007 which will be held at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.
Tourism Negosyo Expo 2007, in partnership with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship (PCE), the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corportation (PCVC) will be the first of its kind to award the Most Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneurs in the following categories:
1. Accommodation
2. Transportation
3. Tour Services and Activities
4. Food and Beverage
5. Retailing/Souvenirs
6. Education and Training
7. Communication
8. Other Tourism Related Services
Under the Tour Services and Activities category, Antonio Anton Carag, COO and President of Adventures and Expedition Philippines Inc. (AEPI) will be hailed by President Arroyo and Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III as an Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneur, an award given by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship as part of the Go Negosyo Turismo Expo 2007. Carag pioneered a water sports-related business in region 2 that caters to local and foreign tourists.
Anton Carag , a native of Tuguegarao City formed Adventures and Expeditions Phils, Inc. (AEPI) in 1998. The success of AEPI came from an even greater success — the first-ever descent of the entire 450- kilometer length of the Cagayan River in February 1998. This milestone was pioneered by the Cagayan River Outdoor Club, which was then headed by Sierra Madre Outdoor Club members Herbert Perez and Edgardo Tiongson and Carag.
Carag's team was later on joined by the Philippine Kayaking Association, Inc. on a whitewater kayaking tour of the Pinacanauan River in Peñablanca and Chico River in Kalinga, consequently jumpstarting AEPI's most exciting feature offering, whitewater rafting.
"It was the marginal note of then Secretary of Tourism Gemma Cruz Araneta that brought the pioneering work of the two environment-friendly sports organizations," relayed Carag. "It was one for our team, one for the Filipino nation."
Outside Magazine's October 2001 issue writes about AEPI whitewater rafting tour packages as "one of the 50 coolest and best trips for the year 2001." after AEPI invited a photojournalist from the magazine in one of its trips.
"As the government emphasizes domestic tourism promotion, there is a real need to stir the interest of Filipinos regarding the richness of options for adventure travel in the country," Carag said. "AEPI is keen to contribute to the groundwork of ensuring the full realization of rafting potentials in the Philippines."
Carag offers packages which involves spelunking, rappelling, whitewater kayaking and rafting including camp out packages. He promotes his packages at his website www.geocities.com/aephils and email address [email protected]. For bookings and reservations, call at (078) 844-1298.
Go Negosyo Turismo Expo 2007 is part of the continuing Go Negosyo campaign organized by the Department of Tourism and the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corporation co-organized with the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship which aims at developing entrepreneurship in the country. The main features of the Expo are Exhibits, Forums, Mentoring and the awarding of Ten Most Inspiring Tourism Entrepreneurs. The expo also aims to encourage a culture of tourism and entrepreneurship, while protecting the environment and benefiting the community. The Tourism Negosyo Expo 2007 will be held on March 2-4, 2007 at the Music Hall of SM Mall of Asia.
Source:
DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM, Region 2
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
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