ILOILO City – The provincial government is planning to establish a tourism authority in northern Iloilo.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. said the plan will prepare the area, especially the towns of Concepcion and Carles, to become “real tourist destinations.”
Carles has around 22 to 24 islands while Concepcion has 17.
Concepcion is known for its white-sand island beaches and Carles, for the Gigantes Group of Islands.
But Defensor said these destinations lack facilities for visiting domestic and foreign tourists.
He said these towns are not even ready for the possible influx of tourists when Boracay Island closes on April 26.
“Since the facilities are only in the mainland, the idea of some visitors is they go to the islands for island-hopping then they go home in the evening,” he said.
The governor said he already had an initial talk with Carles mayor Siegfredo Betita about the plan.
Defensor said they have agreed to call for a meeting with municipal mayors in the entire province to lay down plans on how to develop the tourism destinations in northern Iloilo.
To be held in Carles, the meeting will gather their suggestions and initiatives to boost the tourism industry there. (With PNA/PN)
