THE 18th Negros Occidental Tourism Week, which will open at Robinsons Place Bacolod on Friday, underscores the role of digital transformation in developing the province's tourism industry.
This year's edition of the province's tourism week celebration will run until September 21.
Cristine Mansinares, provincial supervising tourism operations officer, on Thursday said like the previous years they are introducing a forum based on the theme.
This year's theme is "Tourism and the Digital Transformation" adapted from that of the World Tourism Day of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
Mansinares said the forum will highlight the importance of technological advances particularly on how it can help the market as well as provide local government units (LGUs) opportunity to grow economically.
"Digital transformation is very timely for Negros Occidental especially with the competitive market now," she said, adding that "it will allow us to increase our visibility through an online platform and hopefully boost investments through different digital promotions."
The forum on "Tourism and the Digital Transformation" is scheduled on Tuesday, September 18 at the Provincial Capitol's Social Hall in Bacolod City.
Three social media influencers will be sharing their experiences and recommendations to help LGUs improve their tourism marketing program.
The speakers are Jojie Alcantara, Apple Allison Perez, and Jojo Vito.
Along with the opening rites today is the start of the Provincial Tourism Week Fair also at the said mall.
It's an annual local fair aimed at providing a venue for LGUs to promote their new tourism products.
The three-day fair will also be participated by two Bacolod-based travel agency associations, which will sell their tourism packages.
The opening rites will be led by the Department of Tourism (DOT 6)in Western Visayas and provincial government officials along with private sector partners.
On Monday, September 17, the province will host the annual thanksgiving mass and food parade at the Provincial Capitol's Social Hall.
Mansinares said this will again showcase the rich culinary offerings of the province specifically the delicacies of each locality.
Other activities during the week-long event include tour guiding competition, tourism quiz, and Negros Occidental Tourism Excellence Awards.
Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Tourism Division opened the Pre-Tourism Week Exhibit at SM City Bacolod on Thursday.
The exhibit also running until September 21 provides mall goers access to the province's promotional brochures on farm sites, beach, food, crafts, and other offerings.
"Industry competition goes digital so we have to cope and strengthen our efforts on promoting Negros Occidental digitally," Mansinares added.