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.
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