Lingayen – Two big events to be hosted by the provincial government of Pangasinan led by Governor Amado ‘Pogi’ I. Espino, III in partnership with the city government of Alaminos will cap Pangasinan Tourism Month celebration this September.
The Provincial Tourism and Cultural Affairs Office (PTCAO) enjoins tourism stakeholders, tourism enterprise owners and tourism frontliners to participate in the 3rd Region 1 Tourism Convention on September 27-30 while members of recognized schools of tourism and hospitality management are invited to the Pangasinan Tourism Youth Conference on September 27.
Expected to draw a big crowd of stakeholders in tourism industry, the two big events will be conducted in support to the United Nations World Tourism Organization’s World Tourism Day celebrated every September 27.
It can be recalled that in 2014 the previous provincial administration had institutionalized via provincial board resolution no. 401-2014 September as Pangasinan Tourism Month which sought to constantly instill consciousness among Pangasinenses the role of tourism as an instrument of progress and development in the province.
The regional tourism convention serves as a common ground for tourism practitioners to exchange ideas, discuss issues and challenges confronting the industry; and seeks to strengthen cooperation among tourism stakeholders towards the development, promotion and sustainability of tourism in the region.
Component events for the regional tourism convention will be held in Lingayen and Alaminos City. These include: final judging of R1 music and video contest (Sept. 27; Capitol Resort, Lingayen); governor’s night and regional tourism week celebration kick-off ceremonies (Sept. 28; Sison Auditorium, Lingayen); industry and immersion tours in western and central Pangasinan; grand opening and mayor’s night (Sept. 28); convention proper (Sept 29; Alaminos City).
Mangrove and island tours and tourism industry appreciation and awards night to be conducted at the Hundred Islands Lucap Wharf in Alaminos City are also scheduled on September 29 while the following day, September 30, the city government will launch the Hundred Island National Park Mangrove and Paraw tours.
Four sets of immersion tours are up during the regional tourism confab. Interested participants, however, are advised to register ahead of time due to limited slots offered.
Packages of immersion tours include: (A) Heritage tour at Capitol grounds, Bagoong factory, Sweet Deli (Bucayo and Pastilyas factory), Manaoag Church, and Calasiao Church plus free accommodation on the 27th; (B) Bani and Anda tour at Bangrin Marine Protected Area and Mangrove Park in Bani and Tondol beach in Anda; (C) Burgos and Dasol tour at Opifices Christi, Carmelite Monastery and Cabongaoan beach in Burgos, and Tambobong beach and viewdeck in Dasol; (D) Bolinao tour at St. James Church, University of the Philippines Marine Laboratory and Research Institute, Balingasay river, Bolinao Lighthouse and Patar beach.
For inquiries on the upcoming events, interested participants may contact the Department of Tourism Region 1 via (072) 888-2411, (072) 888-2098 or email at dotregion1@pldtdsl.net; or the PTCAO at 0995-967-6804, 0999-883-9740 or email at pangasinan_tourism@yahoo.com.