DOT 6 Hopes To Sell Western Visayas As Preferred Tourism Destination At ASEAN Tourism Forum

Tourism regional director Atty. Helen J. Catalbas is positive that the upcoming ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) will create more opportunities and investments for Western Visayas and uplift the tourism industry of the region to the ASEAN community.

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is on top of preparations for the ATF to be held at the SMX Convention Center on January 18-25, 2015.

ATF 2016 brings thousands of guests from across the globe, including buyers of tourism goods and services, exhibitors from the 10 ASEAN countries, top tourism officials and dignitaries.

“Western Visayas has strengthened its product portfolio featuring the best tourism attractions and services of its provinces and highly urbanized cities. We believe that ATF is a huge platform to sell these products and create an impression to the investors as an investor-friendly region, “director Catalbas said.

This is also a call to our LGUs and tourism stakeholders to improve and upgrade their services and products to meet, if not exceed, the standards of the ASEAN community,” Catalbas added.

Catalbas explained that the region should not be complacent with its present status but should exert more effort to become a top destination in the ASEAN level. She added that after the success of APEC in Western Visayas, the region can expect to host more local, national and international MICE activities in the future.

“The DOT will create the atmosphere and bring in investments but it will be up to the local government units to implement and maintain these endeavors. We will continue to elevate and develop our tourism industry by going down to the grassroots-level through Bottom-Up Budgeting Process. We will train, educate and enhance the skills and amenities of the community so everyone will benefit,” she concluded. (PNA) FPV/PGL/DOT-PR/CBF