Women in Travel visits Pandan
Gov. Salvacion Z. Perez and Pandan Mayor
Plaridel Sanchez VI with the Women in
Travel -- Manila at the Malumpati Spring and
Tourist Resort.
Antique Governor Salvacion Z. Perez and Pandan Mayor Plaridel Sanchez VI welcomed the 30-men delegation of the Women in Travel -- Manila, as they visited Pandan for a three-day familiarization of the town's proud tourist destination, Bugang River. The group was headed by their President Alicia San Juan of Rajah Travel Corp.
Women in Travel -- Manila is an association of top female decision makers in the travel and tourism industry. Its membership is composed of airlines, travel agencies, tour, hotel and resort operators, tourism consultancy, media and other tourism related industries. The organization aims to harness the country's tourism industry for economic growth, by promoting Philippines' tourism spots to locals and foreigners alike.
Gov. Perez, warmly welcoming the delegation in a dinner at Phaidon Beach Resort last September 23, maintained that Pandan is one of Antique's premier destinations, with Bugang River as its front liner. The governor proudly asserted that both the Provincial Government and the municipal LGU of Pandan are working closely to develop the potentials of the river as one of the province's main attractions for both local and foreign tourists. Mayor Sanchez and Governor Perez were hopeful that the visit will actually launch Bugang to its destined popularity.
To further promote the uncharted river nationwide, ABS-CBN's Trip na Trip, a show that features tourist spots, also came to create a TV documentary of the town. For three days, they were exposed to the cultural and tourism attributes of Pandan. The familiarization tour was focused on the tour of the Bugang River, recently adjudged 2nd Placer in the Hiyas ng Turismo search sponsored by the Women in Travel and consistently named the cleanest inland body of water in the country by the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran.
The itinerary included the biodiversity learning, buri and bariw souvenir weaving demo with hands-on experience and folkloric ritual presentation. The group also traversed the trek towards Bugang River's head water, tried swimming and bamboo rafting from the Malumpati Resort to the Manlonggong Point and boating to the river's estuary.
The three-day tour concluded with an interaction among the Women in Travel -- Manila who gave feedbacks on the tour and recommendations to the local officials.