The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Region 6 is projecting a total of 126,000 foreign and domestic tourists one year after the agency-led launching of Oplan #LoveGuimaras Assistance Package (OLAP) on October 31, 2019, 9:30 a.m. at the City Mall Passenger Terminal Building, Parola, Iloilo City.
The launching will be marked with the turnover of colorful umbrellas for the use of passengers and tourists at the embarkation/disembarkation points located at Parola Wharf, Iloilo City and Buenavista and Jordan Wharves in Guimaras.
“The colorful umbrellas symbolize the return of the lively, vibrant and robust tourism industry which turned gloomy and inactive after the August 3, 2019 sea tragedy which claimed 31 lives,” said lawyer Helen Catalbas, DOT-6 regional director.
“DOT Region VI cannot just sit down, relax and see Guimaras tourism go down into oblivion with many residents suffering from the aftermath of a sea tragedy”, she said.
Catalbas further said “what the DOT Region VI is launching on October 31, 2019 is a product of consultation with the Local Governments and private stakeholders of Guimaras.”
“It is a promotional and assistance package that will earn for the Province of Guimaras tourism community P425,817,000 after one year from the date of launching of OLAP.”