DOT VI readies Antique for more tourism capacity
This is after the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has given the go signal for Philippine Airlines (PAL) to service the Clark-Antique route. PAL's new 86-seater Bombardier Q400 NG aircraft will start to provide service in Evelio B. Javier Airport in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique-Clark International Airport, vice versa, on December 16, 2018. The flights are scheduled every Tuesday and Sunday. The departure from Clark will be at 6:00 am and will arrive in Antique at 7:20am, while the departure from Antique will be at 7:40am and will arrive at Clark at 9:00am.
"It’s high time for Antique to have its own direct flights as it has a booming tourism industry at present. The Provincial Government of Antique is also getting ready for the Antique-Clark flight, while the Department of Tourism Region VI promotes excellent service qualities to all guests. We want to prepare all tourism stakeholders in Antique by conducting trainings and producing promotional materials", DOT VI Regional Director Helen Catalbas said.
The Department of Tourism Region VI conducted a cruise circuit site inspection in Culasi, Pandan and Tibiao, Antique together with Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), tour operators and tour guides on June 7-8, 2018. Part of the cruise circuit inspection was to check on the readiness of the tourism sites in Antique and the possible recommendations for the enhancement of the services being provided.
Recognizing the potentials of the sites in Antique, DOT Region VI conducted Local Community Guiding Seminar in San Jose, Antique on September 3-9, 2018. Stakeholders learned how to properly guide visitors coming to visit tourist destinations in Antique.
DOT Region VI also supported the Dapli and Pinili Culinary Fashion Show on September 20, 2018. The event showcased the collection of local cuisine and the traditional Patadyong of Antique that is making its name in the modern fashion industry.
“After the maiden flights on December 16, 2018, DOT Region VI in close coordination with DOT Region III will be bringing in travel media and tour operators from Northern Luzon particularly Clark for a familiarization tour of Antique tourist attractions and facilities. A famtour of Western Visayas travel agents/tour operators and media will also be organized for Clark. This next step will help ensure widespread promotion of Antique and Clark to promote sustainability of flights”, Director Catalbas further said.
Meanwhile, DOT Region VI held the Antique Provincial Cooperative Development Council Farm Tourism Familiarization Tour on October 13, 2018. Members of the council had a tour in Orchard Valley in Pavia, Iloilo, Damires Hills in Janiuay and Ephrathah Farms in Badiangan, Iloilo. Target of the Famtour is for the council to familiarize and learn the best practices of farm tourism enterprises to generate sustainable income.
Aside from these, the DOT Region VI in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Trade and Industry and Antique Development Foundation will be spearheading the Antique Harvest Fair on December 14-16, 2018. The event aims to promote farm tourism, culinary heritage and destinations in the 18 municipalities of Antique. Harvest Festivals/Fair all over the country is brainchild of DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Catalbas also added that the Department of Tourism Region VI is willing to assist groups or organizations to enter into the tourism industry given that they will follow all the requirements. She cited as an example the two-day Farm Tourism Orientation and Tour in the Province of Iloilo conducted by DOT Region VI for the Caticlan-Boracay Transport Multi-purpose Cooperative (CBTMC) that signified their interest to make their over 6 hectares lot in Barangay Aguila, Sebaste, Antique as a farm tourism site.
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