Iloilo launches new tourism campaign

The local government of Iloilo and the private sector are synergizing efforts to position Iloilo as the premier tourist destination in the country with the launch of the “Visit Iloilo” campaign on Monday, April 15.

The “Visit Iloilo” campaign is an initiative of the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) in partnership with Megaworld Corp., local government units (LGUs) of Iloilo, Department of Tourism Western Visayas (DoT-6), Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Iloilo, and Iloilo M.I.C.E Alliance.

“Visit Iloilo is our attempt to further promote Iloilo into becoming one of the premier tourist destinations here in our country. It is an invitation for everyone to immerse themselves in our Ilonggo history, heritage and hospitality,” said IFFI President Allan Tan.

He added that part of the tourism campaign are plans on gastronomy and dragon boat festivals in the city.

“Visit Iloilo is an endeavor to elevate Iloilo as the Philippines’ festival capital. It’s about delving into our heritage and hospitality,” he said.

DoT-V Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez said the new tourism campaign not only promotes tourism but also advocates responsible tourism practices such as environmental preservation, cultural respect and support for local economies.

Rodriguez assured the Tourism Department’s full support for the campaign, hoping it will inspire other LGUs and tourism stakeholders to foster strong partnerships.

Mayor jerry Treñas also welcomed the new development, emphasizing the ambition to “continually level up” the tourism industry of Iloilo.

“The recent investments in public spaces, alongside private sector initiatives expanding our tourism activities and grander festivals, demonstrate our collective commitment to solidifying Iloilo City as a premier destination,” he added.

On the provincial government’s part, Gov. Arthur Defensor jr. encouraged visitors to explore Iloilo’s diverse food and culture under its “Fun, Foodie, Friendly” tourism campaign.

For Cleofe Albiso, Megaworld Hotels and Resorts managing director, the campaign is an inclusive platform not limited to bigger business enterprises.

“We just wanted to have the trigger to gather everybody, to unify our voice and really amplify it. It’s even evolving. We just wanted to make sure that everyone synergizes. Our efforts are there. We can keep talking about Iloilo, and we want to take it to higher platforms,” Albiso said.

DoT-6 data indicates significant tourist arrivals in both the city and province in 2023, with 88V,283 and 318,535 arrivals, respectively.