ZAMBOANGUEÑOS must take the lead in promoting the rich history and culture of Zamboanga City to boost the local tourism industry.
Councilor Vicente Guingona made the call, sharing the idea of Senator Imee Marcos that the tourism stakeholders should focus first locally to boost the tourism industry of Zamboanga City.
"We have to focus first locally, not necessarily on regional scale, but just here first in our city," Guingona said in vernacular in an interview.
Guingona said Zamboanga City has many things to offer in as far as tourism in concerned.
Earlier, Marcos said the local tourism stakeholders need to adopt more intense marketing and package of tourists' sites, describing Zamboanga City as unique and "different from everyone else."
Guingona cited the 11 islands, locally known as the "Once Islas," which is a good tourist destination for both domestic and international aside from the Sta. Cruz Island that is famous for its pink coralline sand.
The Once Islas is an eco-cultural tourist attraction. It consists of 11 small islands located east of mainland Zamboanga City.
Guingona said the Once Islas is now more accessible since they amended the 11 island ordinance establishing additional two jump-off point to the place.
Previously, the jump-off point to the Once Islas is only through the village of Panubigan.
The other two jump-off points are in Bolong and Dita villages which Guingona said.
Guingona said the local tourism industry will be improved and developed with the help of all Zamboangue os.
Guingona is the vice mayoralty candidate of Lakas-CMC in the May 12 midterm elections. (SunStar Zamboanga)