Treñas lauds successful holding of WV Tourism Assembly
City Mayor Jerry Treñas was happy with the outcome of the week-long Western Visayas Tourism Assembly which ended yesterday, Sunday.
Treñas who was resting in his house the whole week after a gall bladder operation was kept abreast of the happenings in the city through the media and through the reports of his aides.
Treñas described the Western Visayas Tourism Assembly as a resounding success not only to the people of Iloilo but the entire region.
He attributed the success of the activity to the participation of the local government units, private sectors and the Department of Tourism.
Treñas said the activity would have a great impact on the economy of the city and the entire Western Visayas. He said whatever benefits the city will gain out of the tourism assembly, it will also spread in the entire region.
Earlier, Department of Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta said they would work towards having the tourism assembly every year. This is to help and improve the tourism industry in each local government unit. The recent assembly was meant to incorporate tourism and new marketing strategies.
Treñas said a well-developed tourism industry will generate jobs from each locality. In his previous visit to China, the chief executive was awed with the plans of the Chinese government in promoting domestic tourism. In China domestic tourists are much higher compared to foreign tourists.
Treñas said if it is viable in China, it could be also done in the region. He said the cooperation of each local government is also needed to promote the tourism industry in the region. The promotion of tourism should be a concerted effort, he said.
Last Friday's Parade of Festivals was a resounding success though there were hitches that occurred during the performance of four of the remaining 16 festivals. Electric power at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand was cut-off when a silver paper coming from a party popper of the Masskara festival presentation touched the high tension wire of the Panay Electric Company Inc. (Peco).
The performance was temporarily stopped and the emcees at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand had to use a megaphone. Luckily, the Binirayan Festival of Antique did not use any prepared music in order to perform.
The parade of festivals showcased Sto. Nino Festival of Kalibo, Bariw Festival of Nabas, Aklan; Pahinis Festival of Laua-an, Antique; Sinadya sa Halaran of Capiz; Tinu-om Festival of Cabatuan; Pandayan Festival of Badiangan; Saad Festival of Leganes; Lanot Festival of Janiuay; Cry of Jelicuon Festival of New Lucena; Manggahan Festival of Guimaras; Kahilwayan Festival of Sta. Barbara; Masskara Festival of Bacolod City; Binirayan Festival of Antique; Babaylan Festival of Bago City; Pintados de Passi of Passi City; Banaag Festival of Anilao and Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City.