PGLU JOINS TOURISM MARKETING EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR
By: Joy Ann L. Gurtiza Photo By: GPC-PIO Date: June 21, 2019
The Region 1 delegates from the Provinces of La Union, Ilocos Norte and Pangasinan prepare their business pitch on Tourism for Sustainable Development Goals during the five-day Marketing Management for Sustainable Community Development Seminar conducted by the Tourism Promotions Board held on June 17 – 21, 2019 at the Park Lima Hotel, Malvar, Batangas.
La Union Tourism Officer Association President Mr. Daryl Dacumos presents their output as a group on Tourism for Sustainable Development Goals during the five-day Marketing Management for Sustainable Community Development Seminar conducted by the Tourism Promotions Board held on June 17 – 21, 2019 at the Park Lima Hotel, Malvar, Batangas. The seminar aimed to clarify the concept of destination branding and explain the value of unified regional destination branding. It provided useful and practical ways for the participants to equip and inspire them in branding their destinations.
To increase the marketability of tourism destinations, promote sustainable and responsible tourism, and achieve global competitiveness as well as promote travel excellence, the Provincial Government of La Union (PGLU) through the Provincial Information Office – Tourism Operations Unit participated in the five-day Marketing Management for Sustainable Community Development Seminar conducted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) on June 17 – 21, 2019 at the Park Lima Hotel, Malvar, Batangas.
The activity took off with a pre-tour of the participants who were local tourism officers, destination managers, and Department of Tourism (DOT) regional officers involved in destination marketing and management to three sustainable tourism destinations in the Province of Batangas. The itinerary included a visit at Milea Bee Farm in San Jose, Kahariam Farms in Ibaan, and Lagadlarin Mangrove Sanctuary in Lobo, Batangas.
The participants experienced various activities from the different destinations exemplifying sustainable practices on beekeeping and honey production, organic farming practices, and immersing themselves to the fishing community hosting the Lobo Mangrove Conservation Area. As part of the group's Corporate Social Responsibility and support to sustainable communities, the participants adopted a site for the planting of 300 mangrove saplings.
During the seminar proper, SAM Holdings, Inc. Founder Mr. Ralph Layco shared ideas on how to maximize participation in Travel Marts and Visual Merchandising for Booth Exhibition and Pavilions. The participants underwent workshop on the rapid prototyping and creation of a branded pavilion and booth design representing different tourism destinations and a Business-to-Consumer engagement from chosen representatives of the different groups.
On the other hand, TAAP World Founder Ms. Apple Allison Perez discussed about the Tourism for Sustainable Development Goals. Inputs were consolidated to outline the recommendations reflecting strategies, operational, tactical action plans in an attempt to be more concise and cohesive in the execution of the appropriate referred destination branding for each region.
Other topics included making digital presence effective focusing on tourism and digital marketing; and digital content development and promotion. Participants’ business pitching and negotiating skills were developed for win-win-partnership with the various actors in the tourism value chain.
DOT – Region 12 Director Nelly Nita Dillera also presented the different training programs offered and the partnership and linkage that can be built by Department of Trade and Industry and DOT.
While the concept of destination branding is a new marketing approach, the seminar provided useful and practical ways for the participants to equip and inspire them in branding their destinations.
After the seminar, the delegates from La Union are expected to be enablers in implementing successful tourism destination strategies and help in achieving the province’s vision to be the Heart of Agri-Tourism in Northern Luzon by 2025.
