SAN JOSE, Antique – Antique will not only be a “cruise” site but a “drive and cruise” destination in Western Visayas, according to Provincial Tourism Officer Jose Ramlu Villaluna.
Villaluna on Thursday said that after the June mock cruise at Lipata Port in Culasi town, they decided to make Antique offer a “drive and cruise” experience to tourists from Iloilo City.
They will do this by making the tourists ride a tourist bus from the city and then cruise around the white-sand Nogas Island located at the southernmost part of Antique.
“The ‘drive and cruise’ could later on be extended up to the northern towns where there are also beautiful tourist spots,” Villaluna said.
The cruise was initially planned to promote Culasi’s Mararison Island.
However, boats ferrying passengers from the Lipata Port to Mararison are not yet registered with the Maritime Industry Authority.
Due to this, the tourism officers decided to promote first Nogas Island.
“Anini-y town, where Nogas island is located, is also nearer Iloilo City, where there are frequent conventions. Some of the participants might also like to visit Antique during conventions,” Villaluna said.
He added that the tourists can enjoy the Siraan Hot Springs, also in Anini-y. (With a report from PNA/PN)