Iloilo a priority tourism area for conventions —Puyat

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is looking to promote Iloilo City as a world-class destination for meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE).

From its sustainable urban development, delectable local recipes and rich cultural heritage, DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said the city had the "perfect recipe" for success to become an international MICE tourism hub.

“This makes Iloilo City a priority tourism area which meets the global standards for MICE growth and, as it has become more competitive, causes a ripple effect that makes it a truly inclusive tourism development,” Puyat said as she led the campaign "Meet you in Iloilo" at the Iloilo Convention Center.

Also present in the launch were Senator Franklin Drilon, Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas, Iloilo Province Governor Arthur Defensor Jr., DOT Undersecretary Arturo Bpncato Jr. and Pocholo Paragas, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), DOT’s infrastructure arm.

TIEZA General Manager and Chief Operating Officer Paragas said several projects are in the works to help boost Iloilo's sustainable tourism development program, including support for the rehabilitation of the fabled Iloilo River and the Aduana or Old Customs Building and the completion of the 8-kilometer Esplanade.

Ilonggo Senator Drilon also said the city's success will benefit other Western Visayas provinces, especially Guimaras.

Treñas, on the other hand, said Iloilo has the potential after successfully hosting the 2015 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation ( APEC) and the ASEAN ministerial meetings in 2017.

“Being a premier MICE destination, we cannot deny that Iloilo City has (grown considerably) as a tourist destination," the mayor said.

The MICE campaign will culminate in January 2020 during the Dinagyang Festival. —Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News