New airport to boost tourism industry -- DOT
The Wednesday inauguration of the New Iloilo Airport by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo opens new business opportunities for the local tourism stakeholders here, Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Dir. Edwin Trompeta said.
Tourism regional director Trompeta further said that he expects the new airport which is of international standards would soon be able accommodate bigger aircrafts that would have direct flights from Korea, Hong Kong and Taiwan to bring in more foreign tourists in Iloilo and even the nearby Guimaras island.
He added the coming of more tourists would mean a more vibrant tourism industry for the local government units and the stakeholders.
The DOT official referred to Guimaras island as the sleeping giant that is beginning to wake up.
He said that Guimaras has now an on-going tourism program in cooperation with Iloilo which is becoming an alternative choice for Boracay island in Aklan.
Tourists can go down the new airport in Sta. Barbara-Cabatuan towns and probably opt to take vacation there for its proximity.
"Guimaras has all the ingredients in history, natural attraction and good infrastructure," Trompeta said.
The island province has also potential for agricultural tourism and pilgrimage tourism.
There is already an investor who has acquired about 115 hectare in the town of Nueva Valencia in Guimaras for a golf course and retirement village.
Trompeta said that these developments complete the picture and would start a faster and brighter prospect in the area that could benefit the local stakeholders.
(PNA)