Jimenez: Bacolod and Negros Occ is a tourist attraction

When you talk of the subject “tourism,” it does not always refer to resorts and beaches. Tourism would mean anything positively attractive and morally entertaining and wholesome.

Take the case of other ancient countries. Hong Kong and Malaysia may be tagged as Shopping Tourism destinations. Cambodia could be Temples and Ancient Tourism favourites. Singapore may be considered as Sounds and Sights Tourism. The Philipines?—It’s More Fun in the Philippines. Fun is a broad term selected by the creativity and imagination of the advertising group of our Ramon Jimenez, Jr of DOT.

It’s about time that Bacolod City and Negros Occidental should be able to give a tag to the places. I may not be one of those who find themselves active in tourism and travel but I have seen with my mind keenly observing what’s going in the tourism efforts in my visits to Singapore, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Cambodia, Kota Kinabalu and Bangkok mainly with the intent to observe tourism as my purpose of visit.

My mind has exchanged ideas with the creative figures of the Singapore Tourism Board, Malaysia Tourism Board, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Tourism Authority of Thailand. They have given me insights on how to develop and create one destination to be a tourism spot. And indeed I have learned so much. But how could I share these? I do not know.

Bacolod City is a Food Tourism Destination. But we see no efforts that the very famous and original Inasal nga Manok has ever gained prominence and grabbed the limelight. The Manokan Country is a MUST Destination, supposedly. But it is not. With the toilets in disarray and no tourism organization nor local government helping the destination, nothing will ever prosper. The first move must start and be encouraged by government. Other things follow.

The province should have one mind, one effort direction. And for any endeavour to succeed in developing any destination, not a speck of political interests neither hidden agenda must be blended in the blending of the recipe of the menu called Tourism. That is the simple formula of success. (God has given us EYES not to insult but to look beyond...MOUTH not to criticize but to speak for Truth...HANDS not to punish sinners but to give a helping hand...EARS not to be insensitive but to hear
voices in pain.)   

Sourced: sunstar