Iloilo City preps for safe tourism

Iloilo City has laid down plans in preparation for putting in place protocols and massive promotions in support of tourism.

This, after more than 30 participants from City Government offices of Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibitions (MICE), Local Economic and Investment Promotions, Information, and Tourism, and representatives from hotels, restaurants, and academe discussed measures to safeguard the people amid opening of the economy.

They participated in the workshop entitled “Marketing Strategies to Support the Reopening of Tourism-related Establishments” recently hosted by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Strengthening Urban Resilience for Growth with Equity (SURGE) Project.

“This was undertaken to assist the city in its effort to re-open the local economy and to help private sector partners bounce back from the crisis,” USAID SURGE stated on its Twitter account.

Results will be presented to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas for possible implementation with the collaboration of concerned stakeholders.

“The planning was aimed at identifying and developing new strategies to support the reopening of tourism-related establishments by promoting the city as a safe place to visit for business and other related activities,” City Program Coordinator Maria Paz Christi C. Moneva said.

“These new marketing and promotion strategies will target specific sectors such as regional business travelers and essential workers and will focus on specific themes that will help build confidence for these prospective clients to visit the city and patronize local tourism-related establishments,” she added.

Moneva noted: “Part of strategy is to increase public awareness on strict health and safety standards imposed by City Government and religiously adhered to by local tourism-related businesses.”

“Digital marketing was also highlighted. An important focus was to incorporate principles of post-crisis marketing communication to effectively connect with target audience, relate with their fears and perceptions and formulate appropriate messaging content,” she said.

The discussion course tackled principles of effective marketing, advertising, and promotion.

They focused on principles of advertising campaign creation, idea generation and message design, development of selected collaterals, and creation of a communication marketing plan suited for new normal scenario. (Iloilo City PIO)