A tourism summit is being pushed for the 5th district of Iloilo province to discuss tourism concerns in the northern part, where some of the popular island destinations such as Gigantes and Sicogon are located.

Fifth District Rep. Raul Tupas said they plan to conduct the summit within one or two months from now as preparations are ongoing.

“We want to properly discuss the pressing concerns and competing priorities of 5th district especially in Isla Gigantes and Sicogon (island),” he said,

“We will look into the observations of the local tourism office, local DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and what are the interventions that we need to implement to align them to the programs of the central office of DOT (Department of Tourism), the local government unit and the provincial government,” he added.

Tupas said he will be inviting different stakeholders to attend the summit.

Recently, there was a suggestion from the DOT regional office in Western Visayas for the voluntary and temporary closure of establishments in Gigantes island in Carles town to improve their facilities and be well-prepared to accommodate local and foreign tourists.

Tupas said they first want to study and discuss the DOT’s recommendation.

Known for its island resorts, the northern part of Iloilo registered the most number of tourists, who visited the entire province during the first quarter of this year, with 5, 262 local and foreign visitors, which contributed 38 percent to the 16, 998 total tourists traffic in the province, according to the data of the provincial tourism office.

Last April, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Sr. said that they are also planning to put up a tourism authority in the 5th district to make the northern towns “real tourist destinations.” (PNA)