ILOILO – In its tourism promotions, the Department of Tourism (DOT) should be inclusive, according to Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr.
He would like Iloilo’s tourist spots like old churches and white-sand beaches included in DOT’s official audio-visual presentation (AVP) to attract more tourists.
Earlier, Iloilo City’s Mayor Jerry Treñas said he wanted Molo Church and the Dinagyang Festival featured in DOT’s AVP.
Defensor mainly wanted Miag-ao church in the 1st District promoted to local and foreign tourists, as well as the churches in the towns of Cabatuan, Tigbauan, Guimbal, and Santa Barbara, and the white beaches in northern Iloilo.
“We have to develop them, ibalik naton sila sa forefront of the tourism industry, kag dapat makita man ina sila sa national scene,” he stressed.
Defensor also said DOT should give exposure, too, to tourism sites in Mindanao.
Changing tourism tagline?
Iloilo City recently released its new tagline but the province has no plans yet, according to Defensor.
The province’s tourism tagline is “It has to be Iloilo” from “It’s got to be Iloilo” in 2017.
He explained that the current approach is developmental rather than promotional.
“Lain ang aton gusto nga direction, indi na sia promotional kundi developmental,” he said.
The Defensor administration’’s developmental thrust is the “Movement for Resurgent, Progressive, Globally Competitive and Resilient” or “MoReProGRes” Iloilo.
“MoReProGRes Iloilo ang aton nga development mantra, and everything is under that, especially tourism and food security,” added Defensor.
“MoReProGRes” has the following specific goals:
* to increase investments and employment opportunities
* to attain food security
* to provide accessible health and social services
* to promote public safety
* to protect and manage the resources and assets of the province
* to provide effective, efficient and transparent government administrative service.
MoRProgGRes encompasses food security, tourism and climate change resiliency. Here are the objectives:
* to promote the production of high-value crops in various agricultural settings for food security
* to blend ornamental gardening, landscaping, and high-value crop production
* to create an agri-tourism destination for tourists, especially Ilonggo weekenders
* to create green agri-tourism destinations that promote the use of recycled or upcycled materials
*to contribute to the province’s climate change response./PN
