All set for top tourism event in the Philippines

ILOILO City – This southern city will leave no stone unturned in its hosting of the country’s top tourism event by January next year.

Dinagyang Festival 2008 is expected to surpass past years’ preparation to make it the grandest and “larger than life” concept in attracting tourists, balikbayans, business locators and top officials to this city.

Dinagyang Foundation Executive Director Ben Jimena said the celebration will be a full month of daily activities but will be highlighted by a three-day weekend on January 25-27, 2008 featuring the ati-atihan, kasadyahan and drum and bugle competitions all geared to honor Senior Sto. Niño.

Dinagyang was chosen – for the second time – recently by the Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) as the top tourism event in the country.

Mayor Jerry Treñas is enthusiastic that Dinagyang will bring in new hope and glory for Iloilo as the city emerges as the next big thing in terms of investments in the Visayas.

Treñas said Dinagyang has become the centerpiece of attraction in the city, luring visitors to take a second look at the many potentials of Iloilo not only in tourism but also business investments in infrastructures, power plants, education, business outsourcing, rest and recreation, health and many more.

The city boasts of several new growth areas now ready to absorb locators and investors by opening up new roads and bridges and among these growth areas are the newly opened Don Glicerio Pison area at Tabucan-San Rafael road, areas beside the multi-billion peso giant floodway in Jaro and La Paz districts, and the 54 hectares area vacated by the old airport in Mandurriao district bought by Megaworld Corp.

Treñas said Dinagyang will assist in marketing these new growth areas.

So far, a total of 20 Dinagyang ati-atihan tribes and 11 kasadyahan groups have registered to vie for honors in the 2008 festival.

Panay News