AN ESTIMATED 1,000 to 1,500 delegates from all over the country are expected to visit Misamis Oriental as the province was selected to host this year's Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) 19th National Convention on October 3 to 6.
According to lawyer Jeffrey Saclot of the Provincial Tourism Office, they have already started the preparations for the upcoming convention.
“The governor [Governor Yevgeny Emano] has already ordered the creation of a committee on the part of the Provincial Government of Misamis Oriental to help the national board sa pag-organize (in organizing the event),” Saclot said.
He added that security measures have to be ensured since there will be several people expected to visit the province. He also said that they will also be coordinating with other stakeholders, particularly the Cohara, to make sure that the delegates will have somewhere to stay. They are planning to invite senators whose roles are related to tourism and, if possible, also President Rodrigo Duterte to be the key note speaker during the opening program of the event.
“It’s a challenge, but we are taking on the challenge kay (because) we are positive that the venue is in Mindanao, we are positive nga gihatagan na nya og importance (that he has given it importance),” Saclot said.
The first night of the event will be hosted by Misamis Oriental Governor Yevgeny Emano, wherein the history, tourism and culture of the province will be presented.
On the second day, the delegates will be given an immersion tour, showcasing the various farm productions and culture of Misamis Oriental.
The Department of Tourism-Northern Mindanao will be hosting the culminating program of the national convention on the third day, with its highlight: the Pearl Awards, where those with the best tourism practices were recognized.
Saclot said, they are expecting for economic activity to propel in the province in the hosting of the ATOP National Convention.
“For sure daghan kaayo ang mabulahan, sa immersion tours lang daan, daghan ang mabulahan ana (For sure there will be several people who will be benefited, even just on the immersion tours). The economic activities that will be created because of the event, the promotion of Misamis Oriental as a major tourist destination in the Philippines, those are the expected results after the event,” Saclot said.
“The delegates will get to experience the warmth and hospitality of both Misamisnon and Kagay-anons,” he added.