Number of tourism-oriented in city businesses double

Tourism-oriented businesses in Iloilo City doubled this year, compared to previous three-year period.

The total of 3,025 accredited establishments in 2020 translated to some P2-million collections, said City Tourism and Development Office (CTDO) head Junel Ann Divinagracia.

She noted there were 1,460 establishments that generated P1.02-million collections in 2017; 1,528 establishments translated to P933,000 in 2018; and 1,487 establishments that secured licenses which City Hall collected P1.2-million in 2019.

CTDO initiated in January putting up a desk during business permit processing dedicated to tourism license registration to encourage applicants to secure the same.

Likewise, CTDO has been involved in Joint Inspection Team to monitor compliance of registered establishments.

This is provided under the Tourism Code of Iloilo City declaring sustainable tourism as an essential means to spur investment, employment and growth towards development and to inculcate an enhanced sense of heritage, culture and pride for all the Ilonggos.

 

REVIVAL

Iloilo City’s tourism is one of the important sectors that have impact on the development of its community and economy.

Tourism helps boost revenues, creates thousands of jobs, and contributes towards more economic activities.

This year, tourist arrivals were limited due to travel restrictions because of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

City Tourism and Development Office head Junel Ann. P. Divinagracia presented to Mayor Jerry P. Treñas five recommendations on how to revive tourism industry.

First is to establish sense of safety and security. Compliance officers are deployed all over the city to ensure all health safety standards and requirements ordered by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) are properly observed.

“Health protocols in tourism establishments shall be enforced. Establishments shall comply a Certificate of Authority to Operate from the Department of Tourism (DOT). There will be COVID Testing Center, and swabbing booths at the airport and seaport,” Divinagracia said.

Second is to prepare the tourism sector for the new normal. There should be a mandatory accreditation of tourism establishments by Department of Tourism and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

A series of online trainings and re-trainings of tourism frontline workers like taxi drivers and tour guides are needed.

Improvement of tourism sites and tourism product development are also important.

Also, more bike lanes will be established to support the growing biking community in the city.

Third will be the opening of tourist sites and establishments to locals and inter- region travelers. There should be opening of museums, bars and entertainment centers, and coffee shops until night or before curfew, and conduct of local products exhibitions.

Fourth is the support to local activities, events and celebrations to continue with adherence to health and safety protocols particularly the Iloilo City Charter Day on August 25, Iloilo Arts Festival in October, and December Festival of Lights, among others.

The last one is to push through concurrent tourism promotions. There will be an Iloilo City Tourism Photo/Vlogging Contest to encourage locals to visit and promote tourism sites.

They can also utilize the traction that Iloilo City has gained in the news and internet because of its COVID Initiatives.

Moreover, Mural Project will go on, and Virtual Tours will be initiated to excite domestic tourism. (Beatriz Angelica Pequierda / Iloilo City PIO)