Tourism action plan gets RDC 6 OK
"We got what you are looking for" was how DOT Edwin Trompeta presented the Tourism Action Plan 2010 of Western Visayas that got the unanimous nod of the Regional Development Council during its first quarter regular meeting.
According to Director Trompeta, Western Visayas has everything that the tourists, both foreign and local are looking for, and the region is also positioning itself as the festival capital of the Philippines.
The RDC approval was in recognition of the important role of tourism in the economic development of Western Visayas and as an imp ortant asset and enhancer of the quality of life of the people.
Tourism Action plan 2010 was prepared by the Department of Tourism in cooperation with the Regional Development Council 6 and the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) so a common Western Visayas Tourism Action Plan until 2010 would serve as a blueprint to coordinate and communicate the initiatives that were undertaken by the tourism industry in the region for the past years.
According to DOT Director Edwin Trompeta the hub of the tourist attraction in Region 6 would still be Boracay and the other provinces would revolve around it. Antique and Aklan province would be developed as nature-based eco-tourism and adventure sites. Capiz will be promoted along the line of cupflowers, seafood, and marine and adventure attractions. Negros Occidental and Bacolod City will be for adventure, culture and heritage tourism and as site for meetings and conventions. Iloilo will be marketed for its cultural heritage and as venue for conventions, conferences and meetings.
Trompeta said they intend to work on the tourism support services along the lines of policy and communication support. Target markets will be both foreign and local markets. He also revealed that they are targeting the East Asia market like Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China and Hongkong, although presently, the bulk of our tourists come from the North Americas. Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand markets will also be tapped.
The DOT Director pointed out they are proposing two taglines in marketing Western Visayas; Festival Capital of the Philippines and We've Got What You Are Looking For.
(PIA 6)