LEGAZPI CITY — The local government’s efforts for boosting the economy and tourism-related developments have made the city one of the preferred destinations for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) across the country.
“The recognition by the DOT (Department of Tourism) was a luminous symbol for Legazpi anchored on our being highly capable now of hosting and properly handling friendly visitors from any part of the world and other similar gatherings by different local as well as national and international giant organizations,” Legazpi City Mayor Noel Rosal said on Tuesday.
Rosal said the increased influx of investments and massive urban development attract more visitors to hold events and activities here.
He added the city has been also officially named as “most business-friendly, “most competitive” and now one of the most “livable cities” in the country.
The mayor further said all the participants and visitors of the events and activities conducted in this city were all protected by police officers and personnel of the Public Safety Office (PSO) to ensure their safety and secure them from any form of criminalities.
The policemen and the Public Safety Office (PSO) in Legazpi City were also tasked to assist the delegates and respond to the emergency calls like traffic accidents and any form of untoward incidents that may take place, he added.
The city chief executive thus urged big organizations to hold their conferences here as part of the promotion of its tourist destinations.
Rosal said participants of the events held in the city are increasing tourist arrivals, contributing to the generated revenues of the local government that directly benefits local communities.
Data gathered from the City Tourism Office showed that Legazpi recorded total tourist arrivals of 1,275,710 in 2017 from 1,199,291 the previous year.
According to DOT, Legazpi City ranked fifth as MICE destination in the country in 2016.
Top one MICE destination was Metro Manila, followed by South Cotabato, Cebu and Zambales. (Emmanuel Solis and Connie Calipay/PNA)
