The DOT 9 Regional Office records showed that 173,973 domestic and foreign tourists came during the first semester compared to only 104,889 for the same period last year. Domestic and international travelers posted 67.61 percent and 39.07 percent increases respectively.
Balikbayans, Malaysians, Chinese, Americans, Koreans and Germans comprised the top six arrivals. Much of the increasing inbound traffic can be attributed to the promotional efforts of DOT IX and of course the prevailing good peace and order in Zamboanga City and the rest of the region.
The Region 9 DOT Office is presently consolidating local government and private sector resources for a major tourism promotional campaign called Visit Zamboanga Year 2005 in an effort to get more tourist dollars into the regional economy.
According to Dir. Rick A. San Juan, the program will be the biggest gathering of Zamboangueños from around the world. He added that local government units have agreed that each city or province will have its respective Vamos a Zamboanga, Balik-Dipolog or Visit Pagadian festival as major attraction. All efforts are now focused and geared for the big event next year.
Former residents living abroad and their friends will be the main targets of this tourism campaign incorporating grand airport receptions, discounted airfare and hotel accommodations, tours, shopping, foodfests, courtesy calls on local executives, tri-media interviews and a grandiose balikbayan ball.
LA Zamboanga Times editor and founder John Lasola Shinn III has been appointed by DOT Region 9 to act as interim secretariat in the US and Canada.
Traditionally, the feast of our Lady of Pilar is celebrated by Chabacanos worldwide to pay homage to their town’s patroness. The celebration also serves as a unifying point for erstwhile residents living abroad, and coming home to visit the original Fort Pilar site will undoubtedly be an experience of a lifetime.