I visited the Iloilo Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) office last week, which had a very peaceful atmosphere since registrations are all done online. I spoke with one of the employees about how new technology can be more of a burden than an advantage since internet quality in the country is still very poor. While the idea of an online registration system seems like a benefit, for people like me, I have to sacrifice and navigate a system utilizing the poor Wi-Fi available in the region.
I later visited the Department of Tourism-Region VI (DOT-6) office to help register a friend’s hotel.
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Since I am an accredited MICE (meeting, incentives, conventions, events/exhibitions) event organizer, I received an invitation from DOT-6 director, Atty. Helen Catalbas, to represent the Western Visayas and the DOT-6 office in Cagayan de Oro City today, February 20, for an event at the Limketkai Luxe Hotel.
I will be presenting the region through a video presentation, trivia, among other methods to sell the Western Visayas region to tourism officials from Regions 7, 9, and 10.
I was also extended an invitation by Cagayan de Oro City to visit the Del Golf Club, which I will see on Friday and try their juicy steaks for the first time. It has been a dream to try steaks cut from cattle fed with pineapples.
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I was also invited to attend the opening rites of the Paraw Regatta Festival in Iloilo City last weekend, where I rubbed elbows with Iloilo City Mayor Jose Espinosa III; Vice Mayor Jeffrey Ganzon; Iloilo Paraw Regatta Foundation, Inc. (IPRFI) president, Dr. Ronald Raymond Lacson Sebastian; among others.
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I will also be visiting Pampanga next month after being invited by hosts from Clark to experience their province.
I have received invitations from Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro City, and Pampanga in recent days, they know I can help them sell sights.
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A close friend asked me, “You travel all around the country, and even Asia; you get invited to their tourism and travel events – and even their social activities – why do I not see you invited to tourism activities and social gatherings in Bacolod City and other neighboring cities and towns?” My response, “I don’t really know why I am not invited – ask those concerned why I am not invited.”
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New hotels have begun to rise in Bacolod City, beginning with Ayala and to be followed by a Henry Sy consortium. Prior to this, Citiscape built a condominium tower in Mandaue City, where I usually stay when in Cebu. Near the Citiscape is the low-key Metro Inn.
What is valuable when running a successful hotel business is professional management that is more effective than merely a family-operated facility, like those in Bacolod City, where families do not trust professional to market their business. Metro Inn will be another challenge among hotels as it prepares a new strategic marketing and business approach for new clientele.
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This column greets Francis Redil Villanueva, Monet Kilayko, Johnny Montalvo, William Ong, Lito Aves, Manolet Lamata, Cathy Cabuga, Panyo Torre, Jing Mider, Rovic de Leon, Kenneth Valderrama, Nene Tanpinco, Kate Brios, Raymund Quinto, Natnat Pugales, and Atty. Dindo Ramos./WDJ