Mayor John Dalipe conveyed Zamboanga City’s full support to the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Addressing the DOT delegation led by Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, tourism stakeholders, members of the Diplomatic Corps, and local government officials present during the Nostalgia: Dinner Event as part of the official launch of the Philippine Experience Program in Zamboanga Peninsula, Dalipe committed the city government’s support to the DOT.
“We have anchored our local tourism plans and programs based on the National Tourism Development Plan in the Philippine Development Plan of 2023 – 2028.”
“Zamboanga City fully supports DOT’s program. We have anchored our local tourism plans and programs based on the National Tourism Development Plan in the Philippine Development Plan of 2023 – 2028,” Dalipe said.
“Nostalgia is one of the products we introduced during the 50th Anniversary of the Department of Tourism last May 2023. As Mayor of Zamboanga City, I am happy (that) DOT recognized this program in the official launching of the PEP,” the mayor added.
Acknowledging the efforts of the local stakeholders of the city, he underscored the robust growth of tourism in the city, recording 686,744 tourist arrivals in 2023, or a 14 percent growth from the 602,788 recorded the previous year.
“Allow me to say muchas gracias, Secretary Frasco, for choosing Zamboanga City as the venue for the official launching of the Philippine Experience Program here in the Zamboanga Peninsula,” Dalipe said.
“Our activities today are a testament that Zamboanga City is ready to accept more visitors or tourists, more so, with the DOT’s Philippine Experience program.”
“Indeed, it is our pride and honor. Our activities today are a testament that Zamboanga City is ready to accept more visitors or tourists, more so, with the DOT’s Philippine Experience program,” he added.
Leading the toast, Dalipe cheered on the DOT and expressed optimism on the success of the Philippine Experience Program.
Also present in the PEP event were the members of the Zamboanga City Council led by Vice Mayor Josephine Pareja and DOT Undersecretary Shahlimar Hofer Tamano.
