Puerto Princesa is shifting its tourism strategy from simply attracting more visitors to bringing in higher-spending travelers through conventions, meetings, and other business events, City Tourism Officer Demetrio Alvior Jr. said.
Alvior said the city is focusing on the quality and impact of tourism rather than the number of arrivals, as part of efforts to ensure long-term growth while protecting natural attractions.
“Kaya ang nakikita natin since ang focus ng tourism ng Puerto Princesa, apat na product ang pinu-push natin – MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) yan yung steady kaya kung mapansin ninyo, ang tourist spending ay tumaas, halos nag-double yung average spending nila daily,” he said.
He explained that as Puerto Princesa’s tourism industry matures, the city must look beyond visitor numbers and focus on the economic benefits generated by each tourist.
“Ang tourism natin, nagma-mature na yung quality. Kasi ang tourism, para maintindihan ng lahat ay hindi lang paramihan ng tao. Tinitingnan natin yung quality, kasi ang tourism ay destructive sa mother earth yan kung hindi ka ready,” he explained.
“So kahit konti sya pero mataas ang spending, para yung natural destinations natin, ma-protektahan din,” he added.
To support the city’s MICE ambitions, a proposed convention center at the former motocross racetrack in front of City Hall has been included among the priority projects to be funded under the proposed ₱3 billion loan package contained in Supplemental Investment Program No. 2, which was approved by the Sangguniang Panlungsod in April.
Alvior said the project is needed as Puerto Princesa increasingly hosts conventions and meetings and existing venues are nearing their limits.
“Alam naman natin na ang Puerto Princesa ay nagiging sentro ng mga conventions, meetings, kinakapos na tayo ng venue. Ang pinakamalaki natin ay yung sa Asturias Hotel na may capacity na 1,000, and of course nandyan yung ating coliseum na hanggang 6,000 kaya,” he noted.
He said the project also aligns with the Department of Tourism’s strategy of bringing major conventions and meetings to the provinces.
“Ang strategy ng DOT ngayon ay nilalabas nila itong mga conventions sa Metro Manila papunta sa mga probinsya para ma-distribute yung tourism sa buong Pilipinas.”
Alvior added that convention centers can also host concerts, graduation ceremonies, and other large-scale events.
To strengthen the city’s capability to host such gatherings, he said personnel have undergone MICE 101 and MICE 102 training under the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
Meanwhile, Alvior said accommodation capacity continues to expand through private sector investments, helping prepare the city for future growth in business tourism.
“So pagdating sa accommodation, hindi na sya problema kasi sa ngayon may mga hotels na nag-u-upgrade, may ginagawa (bago). Sa Bacungan nag-start last year, and expected na matatapos by next year – 151 rooms yun so malaki rin yun,” he said.
“Yung Sta. Lucia naman, doon yung malaki. And by this year, mag-start na rin yung golf course na gagawin at kasabay nun may resort na 700 rooms din ang ipapagawa. So habang nag-u-upgrade tayo ng facilities natin, yung private sector ay nagdadagdag din,” he added.
