The provincial government of Negros Oriental, under the leadership of Gov. Roel Degamo, released P2 million to the Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce & Industry to be used for tourism and marketing promotions of the Province.
NOCCI President Edward Du received the check Thursday from Provincial Tourism Officer Myla Mae Bromo-Abellana for the public-private partnership.
Du recalled that in December 2014, the provincial government and NOCCI signed a memorandum of agreement for the latter to undertake projects such as tourism promotions, and the development of a tour website and blogsite.
It took longer than expected though, for the project to take off, apparently as the provincial government had to source funds for it, Du explained.
The MOA stipulates that NOCCI shall implement these projects, with corresponding budgetary allocations, within a period of one year from receipt of the fund, according to Du.
The projects and their corresponding budgets are: a tourism promotional video featuring the Province’s top tourism destinations, P300,000; the development of a tourism website for two years unlimited web hosting and maintenance, P150,000; tourism promotions through a lifestyle cable TV show that will broadcast 24/seven in 118 major cities and towns, servicing 10 airports and 11 seaports nationwide, P1million;
Tourism promotions through a broadcast content provider with a 24/7 Asian travel and lifestyle channel featuring the best of Asian destinations, culture and heritage, among others, that will produce a one-hour Negros Oriental TV feature, to be aired for at least a year over the channel, with a P280,000 budget;
Tourism promotions through a longest running travel show dedicated mostly to domestic travel and Philippine culture, P130,000; and, to invite bloggers to come to Negros Oriental to experience the various tourism sites/tourism activities to be featured in major newspapers, magazines and the web.
NOCCI will implement the project, subject to liquidation of the funds.
Du explained that NOCCI was awarded the bid being the most qualified for the project, considering it had developed the Province’s tourism roadmap, and having the right contacts to optimize delivery of the proposed tourism and marketing promotions. (PNA/JFP)
