ILOILO – To commemorate the World Tourism Month, celebrated under the theme “Tourism and Green Investment,” the Iloilo Provincial Culture, Arts, History, and Tourism Office (PCAHTO) organized a two-day forum.
This gathering aimed to devise sustainable programs for the province’s premier tourist spot, Islas de Gigantes, a chain of approximately 10 islands located in the northern municipality of Carles.
Gilbert Marin, the Provincial Tourism Officer, emphasized the forum’s objective, which is to highlight the provincial government’s focus, under Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr., on the islands’ tourism potential.
“Our aim is to uplift our top destination, Gigantes, especially since they’ve consistently had the highest tourism arrivals over the past eight years,” Marin told Panay News.
The two predominant islands are Gigantes Norte (North Gigantes) and Gigantes Sur (South Gigantes), supplemented by smaller islets such as Bulubadiang, Gigantillo, Gigantuna, Antonia, Bantigui, Cabugao, Tanguingui, and Turnina. These islands are home to four barangays: Asluman, Gabi, Granada, and Lantangan.
The forum, held at Casa Real de Iloilo and the Provincial Capitol Lobby from Sept. 25-26, coincided with the province’s 19th Tumandok celebration. Collaborating with PCAHTO for this event were students from Central Philippine University’s (CPU) College of Hospitality Management and the local government unit (LGU) of Carles. Representatives from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) enriched the event with enlightening lectures aimed at barangay officials, tourism officers, tour guides, resort operators, and private sector partners.
Given that this year’s theme underscores “green tourism,” Marin noted the focus is on introducing programs that could conserve and potentially enhance Gigantes Islands.
Simultaneously, there is an emphasis on training tourism-related employees and local residents to cater proficiently to tourists.
“The success of this tripartite project reaffirms our commitment to developing Carles,” Marin added.
During the forum, Defensor’s innovative program, “Bisita sa Barangay”, was spotlighted, with plans to initiate it on Gigantes Island.
“We have a site assessment for homestay accommodations scheduled for November, along with training sessions on Filipino Product Service Excellence for our frontline service providers,” Marin disclosed.
Governor Defensor championed barangay-based tourism to bolster homestay accommodations for tourists, providing locals with income opportunities.
“We aim for barangay residents to understand the importance of tourism. Everyone, from households to barangay officials, should be adept at interacting with tourists,” Defensor emphasized.
He added, however, that this program won’t encompass all 1,721 barangays but will target those with evident tourism potential.
Defensor has directed the Provincial Tourism Office to catalogue potential tourism-centric barangays, identifying required infrastructural additions, like footpaths or water systems. “This initiative addresses barangay needs, albeit with a tourism-centric orientation. Our main goal is to strengthen the barangay homestay accommodations,” Defensor remarked, though he acknowledged the fiscal challenges in executing this vision.
Why Gigantes group of islands?
Marin opined that apart from pristine beaches, the islands boast over a hundred caves, with only a fraction explored.
Furthermore, they shelter endangered species such as the Platymantis frog and various native flora and fauna.
This rich biodiversity prompts the province to collaborate with CPU on cultural mapping.
Other recreational activities, like jet skiing and diving, are also being promoted.
PCAHTO data from 2022 revealed 103,602 tourists visited Carles, with a majority being domestic travelers.
Upcoming World Tourism Month Events
From Sept. 27 to Oct. 1, coinciding with World Tourism Day, PCAHTO will host an Indigenous Fiber Fashion Film and Trade Fair Exhibit at SM City Iloilo’s food court entrance.
Additionally, a fashion show promoting Hablon fabrics is scheduled from Sept. 20 to Oct. 1 at SM City Iloilo South Point.
The Lin-ay sa Iloilo 2023 will be launched on Oct. 1.
Additionally, a Tumandok photo exhibit will be displayed in Robinsons Mall, Ungka, Pavia from Sept. 29 to Oct. 1./PN
