Tourism confab slated here October
The city will be hosting more than 500 tourism officers coming from all over the country for the 9thNational Convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) this October 2 to 5.
Mayor Jerry P. Treñas has issued an executive order identifying the various city officials who will constitute the committees that will ensure the smooth and successful conduct of the convention's various activities.
Treñas, who chairs the host committee, designated DOT-VI regional director Edwin Trompeta as vice chair; Councilor Armand Parcon as co-vice-chair and tourism officer Benito Jimena as project manager.
On the other hand, the working committee is composed of sub-groups like the reception, program, publicity and media special events, parade of festival, health and first aid and security and traffic and will be headed by city officials and representatives from private organizations.
Jimena said the city has tapped the assistance of various tourism-related groups in the city to backstop the committees and make the event more colorful. Those who vowed to support the convention are the Iloilo Business Club, the Iloilo Hotels, Resorts and Restaurants Association, the Association of Iloilo Travel and Tour Operators, and the Iloilo Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Tourism officers from other municipalities were likewise included as members of the working committee.
The convention will be highlighted on October 3rdby a parade of festivals featuring the Dinagyang Festival of the city and festivals of other municipalities.
Other activities include the search for Miss ATOP, a fireworks display entitled "Luces in the Sky for ATOP," Hablon Fashion Show, a tour of Guimaras Province and the Best Tourism Practices awards.
The city's Dinagyang Festival has been cited twice as the Best Tourism Event of the Year for 2006 and 2007. (PIO)