ILOILO – The provincial government is planning to establish a tourism body tasked to shape northern Iloilo’s tourism industry.
It would be called the Northern Iloilo Tourism Authority, said Provincial Administrator Raul Banias.
Northern Iloilo has lots of scenic islands and beaches.
There would be a discussion with the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 next month, said Banias.
Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. wanted several concerns addressed such as the capability of tourism facilities in northern Iloilo to accommodate large numbers of tourists.
Banias said the operation of motorboats may also be regulated.
Motorboats are the only means of transport to get to northern Iloilo’s islands.
The tourism authority, which would set guidelines and policy direction, must also be able to address environmental concerns in northern Iloilo, said Banias.
“The implementation of all plans would rest with local governments concerned,” he added, “kay sila ang may jurisdiction sa ila area.”
A total of 16,998 tourists visited this province in the first three months of 2018, data from the Provincial Tourism Office (PTO) showed.
The 5th District in northern Iloilo attracted 5,262 visitors (5,243 domestic and 19 foreign).
The district is made up of the municipalities of Ajuy, Balasan, Barotac Viejo, Batad, Carles, Concepcion, Estancia, Lemery, San Dionisio, San Rafael, and Sara.
According to Provincial Tourism Officer Gilbert Marin, the mushrooming of resorts contributed to the increase in tourist arrivals.
“Damo amenities gina-offer ang mga resorts compared to previous years,” said Marin.
Tourism promotion via social media also helped, he added, plus the affordable rates in Iloilo.
Marin said tourist arrivals would likely increase this second quarter (April, May and June) due to the six-month closure of Boracay Island in Aklan province for rehabilitation.
Iloilo province attracted 310,878 tourists last year – higher than 2016’s 252,323 and 2015’s 206,204, PTO data showed./PN
