SOME 1,000 travel and tourism bloggers in different countries in the Asia Pacific region will come and see the tourist attractions based in Western Visayas, according to Department of Tourism (DOT) Regional Director Helen Catalbas.
Western Visayas has been identified by the Philippine Host Organizing Committee as possible Travel Bloggers Exchange (TBEX) Asia Pacific 2016 post tours destination. TBEX16 Asia Pacific hosting is an initiative of DOT and the Tourism Promotions Board to commence on October 13 to 16 in Manila.
Catalbas said the Western Visayas tourism project validation trip itinerary includes Bacolod Heritage Tour, Ancestral House Tour in Negros Occidental, Iloilo Heritage Tour, and Island Hopping in Guimaras.
TBEX is a huge platform for travel writers, bloggers, new media content creators, social media experts, and other industry professionals from North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, to meet and participate on a series of meetings, educational seminars and presentations, non-formal social media events and familiarization tours.
Catalbas said that Boracay Island was also considered but was not part of the site inspection itinerary since activities in the island are already identified and well-established.
Bloggers provide first-hand information of tourist sites and events. They give detailed information about a place, from transportation, accommodation to top must-experience activities and awaken interests through words and lively photos, giving visitors a clear image of the place they are about to visit, Catalbas said.