A STRONGER relations between Japan and Negros Occidental is being pushed to boost the tourism industries in these two areas.

Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer of Negros Occidental, said the Provincial Government wants to strengthen its ties with groups from the foreign country, including those promoting Amakusa City as a tourist destination.

Mansinares said considering that the Philippines is a Catholic nation, Amakusa is the closest pilgrimage site from the country that can also be promoted.

"Japan is a key tourism market," she said, adding that "the sustained tourism business exchange program is expected to link us also to strengthen our collaboration on manpower and agricultural innovations."

The Amakusa Tourism Promotion Team has presented the tourism potential of Amakusa City among Negrense stakeholders in a Tourism Promotion Meeting in Talisay City, recently.

They are composed of representatives of Amakusa Hondo Rokan and Hotel Association, Amakusa City Hall Industrial Policy Division, Amakusa Takarajima Tourism Association, Amakusa Airline, National Licensed English-Speaking Guide, and L. Nature Inc.

They underscored what the city can offer to tourists, like the Negrenses, including its rich heritage, culture and history.

Sakie Urakami-Saito of the National Licensed English-Speaking Guide said Philippines, including Negros Occidental, is a potential market for Amakusa.

Being home to early Christian culture, Urakami-Saito said the city is a "perfect" destination for Filipino and Negrense tourists whose interests are into history, culture and heritage.

"We are glad to have a chance to introduce our tourism offerings here," she said, expressing optimism that stronger relations would result in more opportunities to promote tourism of Amakusa and Negros Occidental.

Records of the Negros Occidental Tourism Division showed that Japan is the top three foreign market of the province last year.

Among the offerings the province can offer to Japanese tourists include natural attractions like beaches, diving sites and natural parks.