The tourism offices of the city and provincial governments are collaborating for the development of a “heritage tourism site” at premises of the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.
City Tourism Office (CTO) senior operations officer and promotions marketing chief Michie Meneses said representatives from their office and provincial government have attended seminars on the “proper packaging of cultural tourism sites” since the first week of August.
“Nagkaroon na tayo ng pag-uusap with the provincial government, and noong nakaraan lang nga ay sumailalim sila sa isang training tungkol sa packaging ng cultural tourism sites. Magkakaroon ng joint venture ang provincial government at ang city tourism para mapag-usapan kung ano ‘yong partnership sa development na mangyayari doon,” said Meneses.
She said historical landmarks that are set for development under the joint collaboration are the Immaculate Concepcion Cathedral along Rizal Avenue in Barangay Liwanag, Governor’s Residence, Plaza Cuartel, Eulalia Park, and vintage residences in nearby streets and barangays.
However, Meneses said no definite plans have been approved yet as activities need to be discussed extensively.
Meneses added they are proposing a partnership with the owners of private vintage residences surrounding these landmarks as part of the cultural tourism development.
“Mula sa cathedral, ‘yong sa likod niya may mga lumang bahay, inisa-isa na ‘yan ng product planning and most of them ay nag-approve na i-open ‘yong mga bahay na ‘yon para mapakita lang. Kasi ang iba doon talagang authentic, matagal na panahon na. So ‘yon ang mga kinausap and they are willing na i-open ‘kasi ‘yong ibang mga antique na gamit ay doon pa,” said Meneses.
She said it will be good to showcase to the tourists these properties as their interior and exterior designs can be traced back to the Spanish Colonial era.
Meneses said there will be another set of seminars for the two parties in September.
