The local tourism scene in Metro Naga has become even more interesting with the presence of the Naga Excursions brand and campaign. Also known as “Naga X,” the tourism brand is the product of the joint collaboration of the Metro Naga Development Council (MNDC), the City Government of Naga thru the Arts, Culture, and Tourism Office (ACTO), and the private sector. Together, the public and private sectors make up the Naga X’s tourism consortium, an alliance of various business establishments that are primarily tourism-oriented. In the quarterly meeting held at Jellato Restaurant on July 25, this city, the implementing agencies of the project updated more than 40 members of the consortium of recent activities done after the official launch of Naga X last March 22. Upcoming plans and activities were also discussed. Sieglinde B. Bulaong, MNDC Executive Director, said that the MNDC focused on identified strategic objective and planned the project accordingly. “The MNDC aims for development not only here in Naga City but also in the 15 LGUs that form part of this tourism project in Metro Naga,” said Bulaong. She explained the three main objectives of their strategic plans: the creation of a foundation for an enabling environment, maximizing the potential for sectoral growth, and lastly, the expansion of the tourism market. The three main objectives of the project are expected to create investments, jobs, and income. Bulaong said that they are targeting to reach the record of Camarines Sur Watersports Complex or CWC, which led to the biggest arrival volume in the province’s history with an estimated 2.33 million foreign and domestic visitors based on the records of Department of Tourism (DOT) regional office, local tourism offices, and accommodation establishments. “We are planning to reach the record of CWC accomplishment by making a more effective advertisement of the products, services, and amusement places that we have here in Metro Naga.” Alec Francis Santos, chiefof-office of Arts Culture and Tourism Office (ACTO) and City Publications and External Relation Office (CPERO), said in his discussion at the meeting, that Naga X consortium was recognized by DOT as the first of its kind initiated by a local government unit. The consortium was created with the aim of ensuring quality standards across various primary tourism enterprises such as accommodation, tour operators, tourist transport providers, adventure parks, and eco-tourism facilities; and secondary tourism enterprises which refer to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, museums, galleries, spas, and souvenir shops. The consortium now has more than 50 registered members. Santos stated that those who would like to be a member just need to fill up the commitment forms containing their offered discounted or commissionable rates to the office of (ACTO) at the City Government of Naga. He stressed out that registration is ongoing and that there is no required fee to become a member of the consortium. Santos explained that consortium members are given the privileges of offering their products as part of Naga X. Since its launching last March 22, 2013, Naga Excursions activities include a national media familiarization tour last April 19-21, enhancement of its website nagax, creation of social media accounts, a Manila sales mission last May 27-30, and a national launch and press conference last May 31. The Naga Excursion has a funding support from the (DILG) thru the Local Government Support Program for Local Economic Development (LGSP-LED) of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Nicolas Beda Priela, LED Partnership Adviser, mentioned in his discussion of the implementation of the Metro Naga tourism marketing and promotion plan, the creation of a tourist assistance booth at the Naga City Airport and also the website’s application enhancement for online reservations and marketing capability. He said that they want to improve the website up to the extent where those who want to avail of the packages in Naga Excursion website can directly reserve accommodation and purchase products. Priela also added that they are planning to coordinate convention organizers in Naga City, to provide booths for the consortium members for better promotions of Naga Excursion and consortium members. (Gerald Enguero, Bicol Mail)
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 02:33:40 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015