Domestic tourism to sustain country’s economy amid economic turmoil in the US - Treñas

ILOILO CITY, Oct 8 (PNA) – Iloilo City mayor Jerry P. Treñas opined that domestic tourism can be one good economic driver of the country amidst the economic turmoil that is happening in the United States.

Treñas made the remark as he lauded the successful staging of the 9th national convention of the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) that culminated here on Sunday.

“ATOP should be strengthened because through these tourism officers - 80 provinces, 120 cities and 1,500 municipalities - if they can push domestic tourism, it would really make a great impact,” Treñas said.

The four-day event has stirred economic activities not only in the city but even in nearby municipalities and province of Guimaras.

City tourism officer Benito Jimena, said some of the delegates went as far as Miagao and San Joaquin towns, Iloilo’s southmost municipalities to buy fabrics such as hablon and artifacts.

They also went to Guimaras and bought several delicacies that can only be found in the province.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano, the keynote speaker, even urged tourism officers to develop more destinations and products in the country.