‘Negros Occidental tourism needs more international promotion’

LA CASTELLANA Mayor Rhumyla Nicor-Mangilimutan said Negros Occidental needs to work further on promoting its tourism industry to the international market.

Nicor-Mangilimutan, who attended the Internationale Tourismus Borse (ITB)-Berlin in Germany recently said the awareness of foreign visitors on the province’s tourism offerings is still minimal.

“I have yet to discuss this with Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr. and Provincial Tourism Officer Cristine Mansinares,” the mayor said, adding that most of the inquiries they received are about ecotourism or environment-friendly tourism offerings of the province.

The Municipal Government of La Castellana, representing Negros Occidental, was among the 19 organizations and the only local government from the Philippines which joined the international tourism event earlier this month.

The ITB-Berlin is the world’s leading travel show where companies and organizations’ top decision makers, experts, buyers, and young professionals in the travel industry meet to network, negotiate and do business.

The activity has gathered at least 10,000 exhibitors, tour operators, booking systems developers, airlines, hotels and other tourism business services from more than 180 countries and regions.

Nicor-Mangilimutan proposed that the province should strengthen its promotional initiatives like using the social media platform, building more linkages with foreign partners, and more participation in international tourism events.

The mayor also urged local government units (LGUs) in the province to offer tour packages highlighting their respective best tourism offerings.

“Europe is a promising market for tourism,” Nicor-Mangilimutan said, adding that during the travel show in Germany, a non-government organization from The Netherlands has expressed intention to include Negros Occidental in its list of Top 100 Virgin Destinations.

Through its participation in the ITB-Berlin, La Castellana is anticipating a group of visitors from Czech Republic this year.

Other tourism offerings which the group intends to visit include diving and white sand resorts in Sipalay City, sulfur dipping pool at Mambukal Mountain Resort in Murcia, Mt. Kanlaon for hiking, and Suyac Island in Sagay City for its sustainable tourism development, among others.

“Our participation in the ITB-Berlin has really impacted positively in our bid to promote our tourism industry,” Nicor-Mangilimutan said, adding that it is an ideal platform to showcase our “assets” to the international stage.

The mayor added that La Castellana’s Bailes de Luces Festival dancers have been invited to perform in an event in London next year.

Aside from international showcase of local tourism features, Nicor-Mangilimutan said she is also tapping the help of overseas Filipino workers in Europe to organize themselves as Town Folk of La Castellana.

“This group will help us promote our tourism there,” the mayor added.