THE Department of Tourism in Western Visayas (DOT-6) is calling on Ilonggos to visit first the tourist spots in the region before going to other places.

DOT regional director Helen Catalbas said the region is rich in tourist spots that need marketing strategy for tourists to visit.

A marketing planning session will soon be held in a move to develop and market the areas in northern Iloilo and the municipalities of Pilar and Pontevedra in Capiz province as a new tourist destination circuit, Catalbas said.

Catalbas added that Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor is open to the marketing plan of the tourist attractions of 11 towns in northern Iloilo.

The towns are Carles, Estancia, Balasan, Concepcion, San Dionisio, Ajuy, Sara, Barotac Viejo which are coastal towns and the inland towns of Lemery, San Rafael and Banate. 

Announcing the plan during a radio broadcast of “Tourism Academy on the Air” last Sunday, February 2, Catalbas said that DOT is planning a grand launching of the flagship program “Experience WV First” on March 2, 2014 with a concert at Plaza Libertad.

A parade will be held from the capitol site to the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand to develop the region against the onslaughts of Typhoon Yolanda.   

Catalbas said the program is in support of the pedestrianization project of the City Government in attracting tourists to the city’s Calle Real to see the grandeur of old Iloilo City through its heritage buildings.

The program will be augmented by a video presentation of Western Visayas by the Living Asia Channel.