Forum to tackle tourism issues and priorities
Department of Tourism Undersecretary
Oscar Palabyab congratulates the
region's officials for the staging of the
| Western Visayas Tourism Assembly
during the opening ceremonies last
Monday at SM City Iloilo.
The Department of Tourism 6 (DOT 6) is all set for the Regional Tourism Forum. As one of the eight events of the on-going Western Visayas Tourism Assembly, it will be held at the Kalantiao Hall of Sarabia Manor Hotel and Convention Center on October 25.
Designed for all stakeholders, it will explore, identify issues, resolve priorities, and establish linkages for the development of regional tourism. The whole-day forum will tackle four main issues: destination management, heritage tourism, medical tourism, and tourism education.
"In Destination Management: Making Tourists Look Forward to Another Visit," Alice Queblatin, managing director of Cebu-based South Wind Travel and Tours Inc., is the resource speaker. Panelists include Emil Diez, president of Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau (ICVB); Patrick Gregorio, president of T&G Development Corp.; and Ruth Minerva Cruz, president of Negros Island Tourism Inc. (NITI).
Dr. Alicia Magos, retired anthropologist and professor at the University of the Philippines in the Visayas (UP in the Visayas) speaks on "Heritage Tourism: Looking Back to the Future." Dr. Kristine Treñas, member of the Iloilo City Cultural Heritage Conservation Council (ICCHCC); Lyn Gamboa, president of Negros Cultural Foundation (NCF); and Arch. Melvin Lataquin, faculty at the Department of Architecture of University of San Agustin, serve as panelists.
The regions eleven festival queens during the
Swimsuit and Cocktail Showcase at Robinsons
Place Iloilo. The Western Visayas Festival Queen
Pageant will be held on October 27 at the WVSU
Cultural Center.
In "Wellness Tourism: Shaping a Healthy Tourism Industry," Margie Lopingco, owner of Total Image Spa in Quezon City and The Bellevue Spa in Alabang, as well as treasurer of the Spa Association of the Philippines, speaks on the mushrooming of medical tourism in the country. Panelists are Dr. Yule Garcia-Quiampang, owner of Skinetics Medical Spa; and Scott Saria, manager of Wellness Spa at Days Hotel Iloilo.
Dr. Freddie Maningo, education program specialist at the Commission on Higher Education 6 (CHED 6), tackles "Relevant Tourism Education: Molding Globally Competitive Tourism Professionals." Dr. Maria Teresa Sarabia; ICVB member and owner St. Therese-MTC Colleges; George Zulueta, faculty at the University of St. La Salle-Bacolod; Edward Yee, president of Iloilo Hotels, Resorts & Restaurant Association (IHRRA); and Dr. Glenn Aguilar, chancellor of UP in the Visayas, are the panelists.
Regional Director Edwin Trompeta will also present the WV Tourism Action Plan 2010. This is a blueprint in consolidating the different initiatives in the development of the region's tourism industry.
DOT Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano will be the keynote speaker.
(DOT 6)