THE Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental is spending some P2 million for the 19th national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) on October 3 to 5, as the province was picked to host the three-day activity here.
Lawyer Jeffrey Saclot, head of the provincial tourism department, said the three-day activity will be attended by over 1,000 delegates from all over the country, including public officials who chaired tourism committee in their respective localities.
"The capitol is spending P2 million as counterpart as the rest of the funding will be taken from the registration," Saclot said.
Saclot also said they already sent invitation to President Rodrigo Duterte to grace the opening night where Governor Yevgeny Emano is set to showcase his tourism programs for the province.
He also said they also asked Senator Nancy Binay, the senate committee chair on tourism and Senator Cynthia Villar, committee on agriculture chair, to also join the activity.
On the third day, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is also expected to grace the convention.
Saclot said the preparation is being finalized especially the immersion tours of the participants to the different tourist attractions in the province.
He said through this activity, the world will get to know that Misamis Oriental is slowly becoming a major tourism destination.
Saclot also said among the impact of the ATOP convention in economic aspect is livelihood and employment opportunities.
He said the delegates will also be given the chance to visit the farmers market where top products are being displayed.
"This a big step forward for Misamis Oriental for the world to know that we are serious to make the province a major tourism destination,"Saclot said.
Saclot also said other provinces in the region would also be given the opportunity to showcase the beauty and the best of their province.
Saclot has expressed his gratitude to its partners such as the Cagayan de Oro Hotel and Restaurant Association for the delegates accommodation; the association of tourism officers in the province for the immersion tours; the Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao and other private partners.