SAN JOSE De BUENAVISTA, Antique — Antique province is being eyed to become a “drive and cruise” tourism destination for convention delegates in Iloilo City.
Antique Provincial Tourism Officer Jose Ramlu Villaluna, in interview Thursday, said that as a result of the June mock tour at Lipata Port in Culasi town, it was decided to make Antique a “drive and cruise” destination, where tourists could come from Iloilo City on board a tourist bus and then initially have a cruise around the white-sand Nogas Island in the southernmost part of the province.
“The drive and cruise could later on be extended up to the northern towns where there are also beautiful tourist spots,” he said.
The initial plan for the cruise was in Culasi with its white sand Mararison Island. However, it was found out that the boats ferrying passengers from the Lipata Port to Mararison are not yet registered with the Maritime Industry Authority, so it was decided to first promote Nogas Island for the “drive and cruise”, Villaluna said.
“Anini-y town, where Nogas island is located, is also nearer to Iloilo City where there are frequent conventions and so, some of the participants might also like to visit Antique during that time,” he said.
Villaluna said one can also enjoy the Siraan Hot Spring in Anini-y town. He said boats operating from Caticlan Port to Boracay island will be available for the cruise in the meantime.
“We hope to operate the soonest, maybe in August or September,” he said. (PNA)
