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| Stalls at the outskirts of the Bangui Windmill are all lined up offering souvenirs to tourists who visit the site. (Alaric A. Yanos) |
PGIN-CMO
The Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) urges tourism-related businesses to adhere to the Provincial Tourism Code as it aims to strengthen and sustain the growth of the local tourism sector, according to Mr. Xavier Ruiz of Ilocos Norte Tourism Office (INTO).
Passed in 2012, the code seeks to be fully implemented this year as INTO have intensified its information dissemination in the past years, added Mr. Ruiz.
The code pushes for a proper regulation and monitoring process which ensures that travel agencies, hotels, tour guides and other tourism-related facilities will offer the best products and services to tourists visiting the province.
In the long run, the Provincial Tourism Code will effectively center on the development of the local tourism sector, making certain that more jobs and livelihoods will be brought in the province benefitting thousands of Ilocanos.
Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda “Imee” R. Marcos earlier noted that the tourism sector has been the backbone of the development of Ilocos Norte, adding that this is why the province has a lot to boast for.
The past years have seen the increasing number of jobs in the province brought by the vibrant tourism industry as Ilocos Norte welcomed more than 1.6 million local and foreign tourists last year.
Ms. Marcos beamed that the industry is a “real job starter” which leads to the “inclusive growth” that the province is currently experiencing.
With this, Mr. Ruiz called for the cooperation of tourism businesses to prioritize their registration in accordance with the Provincial Tourism Code before the summer completely kicks-off which is the peak season for tourist arrivals in Ilocos Norte.
He also reminded them that a penalty will be imposed for those who will fail to go through the registration and other required processes.
“So far, we have only received few applications with three hotels, two travel agencies and one tour guide. We hope of increasing the number of application this coming summer which will result in the overall improvement of the local tourism industry,” revealed Mr. Ruiz.