Friday, October 03, 2008 Senator keynotes Atop national confab
SENATOR Richard J. Gordon gave the keynote address opening of the 9th national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (Atop) at the Iloilo Grand Hotel, Iloilo City, Thursday.
City Mayor Jerry P. Treñas, on the other hand, requested city residents "to show the best" during the convention as the best time to showcase the best of the Metro Iloilo Economic Development Council (MIGEDC) covered areas comprising the city, municipalities of Pavia, Sta. Barbara, Leganes, San Miguel and Oton and the island province of Guimaras.
Treñas said that domestic tourism can help propel the national economy even if there is a current economic turmoil in the US. There are more than 1,500 municipalities, 136 cities and 80 provinces, and all of these local government units (LGUs) have budget for their own Lakbay-Aral program earmarked to revitalize domestic tourism.
Gordon, also national chairman of the Philippine National Red Cross, met with more than 1,000 tourism officers in the country to discuss the tourism challenges and prospects in the country in the face of climate change and world market collapse.
The Atop national convention slated Octobe 2-5 in Iloilo City is expected to set a pace for coping up tourism opportunities in the country and in the rest of Asia Pacific region.
Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Oscar Palabyab gave the inspiration message while Mayor Treñas, congressman Raul Gonzalez Jr. and Iloilo Governor Niel D. Tupas gave the words of welcome.
Atop national president Jennylind Cordero declared the opening of the convention that also saw participation not only of tourism officers but also several local government chief executives and chairmen of the Sangguniang committee on tourism throughout the country.
The conference proper will come on the second day with topics to be discussed by DOT Regional Director Edwin Trompeta, former DOT secretary Narzalina Lim, Director Catalino "Butch" Chan, Marjorie Lopingco of the SPA Association of the Philippines and House chair committee on tourism congressman Edgardo Chatto of Bohol highlighted by a grand parade of festivals in the afternoon.
The awarding ceremony will be held on Saturday, October 4, and at stakes are the Best Tourism Event Award, Most Outstanding Tourism Officer, Best Tourism Month/Week Long Event and Most Outstanding Tourism Association for the provincial level.
Iloilo City's Dinagyang Festival is vying for a grand slam win after being selected as Atop Best Tourism Event in 2006 and 2007. Dinagyang was also a consistent winner in the yearly Aliwan Festival in Manila. (LCP)
