ILOILO City – A total of 400 Japanese tourists who are set to arrive in the city on Jan. 26 – first day of the three-day Dinagyang highlights – were assured of seats at the new grandstand to witness festival dance performances.
These tourists are among the about 750 Japanese visitors who will dock at the Iloilo International Container Port in Barangay Loboc, Lapuz district on board cruise ship MV Pacific Venus.
City Tourism Operations Officer I Florence Kim Erlano said the 400 Japanese tourists will watch the Kasadyahan Festival on Jan. 26 and the dagyang (previously ati-ati) tribes dance competition on Jan. 27.
The other guests will be toured around the city and province of Iloilo. They will also tour the nearby island province of Guimaras.
Erlano said the foreign tourists will be in the city “overnight.” They will leave on Jan. 27.
Earlier, Tourism regional director Helen Catalbas said the Japanese visit is very important.
She added that the standard of accommodating Japanese tourists is very high.
“We have met that standard already,” Catalbas said, noting that last year, Japanese officials came to inspect the facilities in Iloilo City, such as banks, hospitals, hotels, and shopping centers.
“They were impressed. That’s why they decided to push through with the cruise ship arrival in January. And I hope after that, it’s not only during Dinagyang,” Catalbas said./PN
