ILOILO City – Ilonggos are well-known not only for being malambing but also for being hospitable.
The Iloilo City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) is highlighting this unique Ilonggo trait through its Ilonggo Hospitality Program dubbed as “Amoma”, Hiligaynon for “take care.”
City Tourism Officer Junel Ann Divinagracia said the program is in line with the continuing initiatives of Mayor Jerry Treñas to make the city more livable and welcoming, especially to tourists.
“The CTDO believes Amoma is very timely and complements the beauty of the metropolis,” Divinagracia stressed.
“We are known to be ma-amomahun and malambing. Tourists say they feel special if Ilonggos are the ones providing the care,” she added.
The CTDO, together with the Iloilo City Tourism Council, is set to launch the program within the first quarter of this year.
Divinagracia said phase 1 of the program will come up with trainings for frontline tourism and service workers, market vendors, and tourism students.
Phase 2 is geared towards cultivating a culture of tourism by conducting awareness talks in the top 20 barangays with attractions across seven districts.
A tourism desk will also be set up in each of the 20 barangays. Each desk will be manned by two site guides who have successfully completed Amoma training workshops.
CTDO envisions a local tourism industry anchored on the hospitality of the Ilonggos to provide globally competent service. (With reports from Iloilo City PIO)/PN
