DOT shells out P1-M for visit Iloilo and Guimaras 2006

The Iloilo City Convention Bureau (ICCB) was assured of P1 million seed money from the Department of Tourism (DOT) to be used to market Iloilo and its cluster under the Visit Iloilo and Guimaras 2006 project.

DOT Secretary Ace Durano, who graced the tourism summit organized by the ICCB and the Dinagyang Foundation last week, said the amount would be replenished as it is spent.

Durano likewise assured his presence during the launching of the project here in Iloilo simultaneous with the celebration of Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day.

Francis T. Cruz, Director of the ICCB, said the project is a collective undertaking among sectors in Iloilo City, Iloilo and Guimaras Provinces and adjacent destinations, to promote these sites as potential tourism, trade and investment destinations.

The project was conceptualized in 2001 and finalized in 2005 after a discussion with former DOT Secretary Narzalina Lim. Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Trenas then requested the ICCB to look into organizing the said promotion event.

”The concept is to bring together the different sectors involved in the promotion of Iloilo and Guimaras to come up with a collective and well coordinated effort in tourism promotions. This would showcase the best these provinces could offer not only in terms of festivals but also in many beautiful places we have that are not widely promoted but has a high value for potential tourists,” Cruz added.

During the summit, members of the ICCB and other stakeholders finalized the list of events and festivals and list of places to visit in both provinces. Also, plans and strategies were ironed out preparatory to the launching of the project. PNA