ILOILO City – Over two years after the economically-crippling coronavirus disease pandemic drove visitors away, this city is enjoying a tourism resurgence.
“This is called ‘revenge travel’. People, especially those who are earning good, are itching to get out of their houses and go on vacation,” City Tourism Office (CTO) head Junel Ann Divinagracia told Panay News.
Businesses in the tourism sector such as hotels, restaurants and pasalubong centers are feeling the positive effects of the easing of travel restrictions, said Divinagracia.
Bookings and sales are up.
“We are preparing our stakeholders this early. Dapat maka-replenish na sila sang ila mga stocks,” according to Divinagracia.
The CTO has lined up several events that would attract more visitors such as the upcoming Iloilo Bike Festival This July and the Iloilo Charter Day next month.
The Bike Festival is open for bikers and hobbyists all over the Philippines.
Divinagracia also told Panay News that the CTO is developing night tours.
“Last time nag-try kita with guests sang MORE Election and Power Corporation. They loved the night tour, so sige sigehon ni naton. They said naka-focus sila sa mga destinations kay indi na damu tawo and indi mainit,” said Divinagracia.
She also found it interesting that accommodation establishments are being inundated with bookings even by domestic/local tourists.
People are into “staycations”, said Divinagracia.
Conventions and seminars with huge participants from across the country are again being held in Iloilo City, she further pointed out.
“We are gradually recovering from a tourism slump after travel restrictions were lifted. Businesses in the accommodation sector are now fully operating. We are very thankful nga bisan paano nakabawi kita,” Divinagracia told Panay News.
The Iloilo Convention Center, she said, is full almost everyday because of meetings and conventions.
Just recently, the Philippine Elementary School Principals Association (PESPA) held its three-day 39th Principal’s Training and Development Program Cum National Board Conference at the Iloilo Convention Center.
It had around 6,000 delegates, said Divinagracia.
Another batch of around 3,000 PESPA members will converge here again this month, she revealed.
Other national conventions set to be held here this year are those of the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association, Philippine Society of Mechanical Engineers -8th Visayas Regional Conference, Philippine Librarian Association Inc., and the 75th University of the Philippines Visayas Alumni Homecoming, among others.
As a sweetener to those visiting Iloilo City, Divinagracia said the city government through the City Tourism Office has asked airline and shipping companies and malls here to give convention delegates special discounts.
“Part ina sang aton na pag-welcome sa mga bisita. Kanami sang feeling sang mga delegates nga maski paano naka-save sila,” she added./PN
