Journeys
SM City Iloilo: Truly a tourism destination
In the many years that I have engaged in the tour guiding profession, I have come across different types of tourists with different expectations about what to find in Iloilo . Most of them are eager to visit the historical churches, old houses, beach resorts, food, and shopping places. For the last element, it is worth mentioning that tourists' shopping needs go beyond the obvious--souvenir items, such as t-shirts, key chains, paper weights and what-have-yous. Tourists often also look for a place where they can buy things such spare batteries and memory cards for their cameras and phones, extra pieces of luggage (just in case tourists decide to take home more of Iloilo than usual). This is not to mention a wide variety of food choices, enough to accommodate various food preferences and paying capacity. As tourists are varied, so are their needs.
SM City Iloilo happens to be, I have observed, the favorite of most of the tourists I have guided. This is true whether they be domestic or foreign, young or not-so-young, male or female.
I can recall one stand-out instance that may serve as an example. A few months ago, I guided a Japanese photojournalist that was commissioned to write about and take photos of churches in Iloilo, especially the Miagao Church in southern Iloilo . After getting that part of the job done, he requested to be brought to a Filipino restaurant nearby. For the rest of the afternoon, while waiting for his return flight to Manila, the same Japanese tourist wanted to have coffee and have a massage in place where there could possibly be a nearby place to download his photos. SM City was the most logical and preferred choice. Needless to say, that particular tour was a success, with the tourist getting his job done and leaving for home satisfied.
The same satisfaction is given by SM City Iloilo to many of my other clients. Students, teachers and LGU officials get to buy their must-take-home food items, such as biscocho, galletas, barquillos, etc. Souvenir t-shirts and knick-knacks are sold by tenants. And the craving for Ilonggo food (e.g. batchoy) is satisfied in the same establishment.
Regularly, unique tourism experiences also are offered by SM City Iloilo. I remember bringing a couple of Swiss tourists to the Fiesta in the City. There, my tourists and I were able to witness the Binanog dance presented by the Municipality of Calinog, Iloilo. They also were requested to take part in the ceremonial slicing of the biggest bibingka (rice cake). They were thrilled! They went home to Switzerland, taking with them more memories and stories to share with their family and friends. All comments I have heard, and expect to hear, from my clients regarding SM City Iloilo are positive.
SM City really is a tourism destination. At the very least, it supports all other tourist attractions by providing a convenient venue where several of tourists needs can be addressed. For this, many thanks are due to SM City Iloilo.