by Prix D Banzon

Dipolog City (14 August) -- With increased tourist arrivals of 200 percent, Zamboanga del Norte will have the chance to show to other business leaders its best destinations as it will host the 17th Mindanao Business Conference (MinBC) on August 27 to 29, 2008.

Governor Rolando E. Yebes of Zamboanga del Norte who guested at the Club 888 business and tourism forum of the Marco Polo Davao last Wednesday (Aug. 13) said they noted an increase in tourist arrivals as he said that the province is the gateway to other places like Cebu, Bohol, Negros and Boracay.

He said during the Minbizcon Ambassador Kristie A. Kenney of the United States to the Philippines will give the keynote address at the opening ceremony on August 28 while President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo is the invited guest of honor during the closing ceremony.

As part of the tradition, the business sector will present issues and concerns that government should respond based on the concerned agencies programs and strategies. The model will provide the government an avenue to listen to the needs of the private sector thereby recommending appropriate government programs addressing said needs.

The Minbizcon, Yebes said is an opportunity for local government and the business community to package the area as an ideal investment and tourism destination in Mindanao.

Yebes said the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) recorded the increase of visitors coming to their area.

He meanwhile said that their province also supplies food to several cities in the Visayas of fruits, vegetables, fishes, corn and rice.

He attributed the increase to the linking of their province to the neighboring areas it being part of the western leg of the Strong Republic Nautical Highway.

Located In the province is the historic Jose Rizal Shrine located in Dapitan City that are most frequented by visitors according to Alemarlou Dagpin, secretary to Mayor also guesting in the same forum.

He said tourism is the key factor in boosting their local economy and the growing volume of tourists has given rise to new hotels, inns and amusement centers in Dapitan especially along the Sunset Boulevard.

He among its popular hotels among local and foreign tourists is the new Dapitan City Resort Hotel operated by the city government.

The Gloria de Dapitan, a theme park that will open on November 24, 2008 is the newest park of the city that houses modern business and recreational complex of restaurants/videoke bars, internet cafes and computer shops, bowling center, fitness gym, boutiques and salon, and a world-class cockpit.

The works of the theme park is ongoing he said with initial investments of P100 million by Jaloslos family and it also houses a carnival and fitness gym. The equipment are imported from the US and Europe, he said.