Misamis Occidental is stepping up efforts to expand its tourism market as it welcomes members of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA) for a four-day familiarization tour aimed at turning the province's attractions into marketable travel packages.
From June 25 to 28, around 30 tour operators and travel agents are exploring the province's top destinations while meeting with local tourism stakeholders to identify new opportunities for the travel industry.
Promoting Destinations to the Travel Trade
The familiarization tour features some of Misamis Occidental's flagship attractions, including AMORAP (Asenso Misamis Occidental Recreation and Adventure Park), Cotta Fort, Asenso Global Gardens, Lake Duminagat, Piduan Falls, Saint John the Baptist Parish Church, and the Panguil Bay Bridge, the longest water-spanning bridge in Mindanao.
The province is also showcasing its growing portfolio of farm tourism sites, mountain and coastal attractions, floating cottages, waterfalls, and local culinary experiences as it seeks to attract a wider range of visitors.
Creating New Tourism Products
PHILTOA 2nd Vice President and Product Development, Training and Education Committee Chair Harold Atondo said the activity gives tour operators and travel agents the opportunity to experience emerging destinations firsthand and develop travel packages that can be offered to the market.
"As a national association, our goal is to help emerging destinations. We bring tour operators and travel agents to different parts of the country so they can discover what's new and identify packages that can be developed and marketed," Atondo said.
The program also includes a business-to-business (B2B) session that connects PHILTOA members with local tour operators, hotels, tourism enterprises, pasalubong centers, and local government officials to build partnerships and craft new tourism offerings.
Driving Tourism Growth
The familiarization tour was organized in partnership with the provincial government led by Gov. Henry Oaminal, whose "Asenso Turismo" campaign aims to position Misamis Occidental as a leading eco-cultural and adventure destination in Mindanao.
Provincial officials hope the initiative will translate into new tour packages, increased tourist arrivals, and stronger partnerships with the national travel trade, creating more opportunities for local businesses and communities while expanding the province's reach in the tourism market.
