Thenewstoday, October 20, 2006, Iloilo City
The tourism potentials of Western Visayas will be like an open book showcasing a colorful and unique destination attractions on October 23-29, 2006.
Director Edwin Trompeta of the Department of Tourism (DOT) here said in a PIA interview that the activity is in line with the government’s development and investment plan for the country in recognition to the tourism industry’s role as one of the major engines for socio-economic development.
“Our focus is domestic tourism but we have to ensure that our local destinations are in synch with the promotional thrust of the national government.”
It may be recalled that during the SONA of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Central Philippines super region was declared as the tourism hub of the country. Central Philippines super region comprises Regions V (Bicol Region), VI (Western Visayas, VII (Central Visayas) and VIII, plus the provinces of Palawan and Romblon.
Director Trompeta said that the WV Tourism Assembly which will be participated by the six provinces of Region VI will be held at the SM City Activity Center, here with the theme focusing on “Sustaining Domestic Tourism: Turning Ideas Into Action.”
“To be able to sustain domestic tourism, specially with the local government units spearheading the promotions and marketing, we are actually in search for ideas and while there are many who are involved in the tourism industry there are also many ideas available and we would like to get those ideas, identify them, discuss these ideas, resolve them and get to agree on some basic initiatives that could help propel the industry forward,”Trompeta said.
