Misamis occidental: Members of the Philippine Tour Operators Association (PHILTOA), the country's largest organization of tour operators, are exploring Misamis Occidental this week as part of a familiarization tour aimed at promoting the province's tourism destinations, attracting more visitors and developing market-ready travel packages.
According to Philippines News Agency, the four-day tour from June 25 to 28 highlights some of the province's flagship attractions, including the eco-luxury resort AMORAP (Asenso Misamis Occidental Recreation and Adventure Park), the historic Cotta Fort, Asenso Global Gardens, Lake Duminagat, Piduan Falls, Saint John the Baptist Parish Church, and Panguil Bay Bridge, the longest water-spanning bridge in Mindanao.
PHILTOA 2nd vice president and chair of Product Development, Training and Education Committee Harold Atondo stated that the activity is part of the association's continuing effort to help emerging destinations gain wider market exposure by allowing tour operators and travel agents to experience tourism products firsthand. "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.
He noted that the familiarization tour goes beyond sightseeing, serving as a venue for collaboration between tourism stakeholders and the private sector. A key component of the program is a business-to-business (B2B) session that brings together PHILTOA members, local tour operators, hoteliers, pasalubong centers, tourism enterprises, and local government officials to forge partnerships and develop travel packages that can immediately be offered to the market.
Misamis Occidental was selected following coordination between PHILTOA and the provincial government led by Gov. Henry Oaminal, whose administration has been aggressively promoting the province under its 'Asenso Turismo' campaign. Some 30 PHILTOA members joined the familiarization tour.
Provincial officials hope the tour will further position Misamis Occidental as a growing eco-cultural and adventure tourism destination in Mindanao while opening new opportunities for local businesses and communities. Beyond its natural attractions and heritage sites, the province is also showcasing farm tourism destinations, mountain and coastal experiences, floating cottages, waterfalls, and local culinary offerings as part of its push to diversify tourism products.
Organizers expect participating tour operators to begin crafting new travel packages after the tour, helping increase tourist arrivals and strengthen long-term partnerships between the local tourism industry and the national travel trade sector.
