Pilgrimage tourism for Ilocos eyed

SANTIAGO, Ilocos Sur – In an effort to educate and prepare the Ilocanos for the advent of pilgrimage tourism, the provincial government of Ilocos Sur through newly-elected Governor Luis "Chavit" Singson and the Provincial Tourism Office in cooperation with the Sacred Land of Asia Foundation, sponsored recently a Pilgrimage Tourism Seminar at the Vigan Culture and Trade Center to further enhance the tourism programs of this province.

Aside from this tourism scheme, the Office of the North Luzon Growth Quadrangle headed by Undersecretary Hermenegildo C. Dumlao, has also been pushing for the conversion of the Heritage City of Vigan into what he called the "Macau" in the Northern Philippines. Macau is being "mobbed" by tens of thousands of foreigners throughout the world, making its government earn millions of dollars yearly.

Invited to join in the seminar were representatives from the academe, clergy, studentry, store owners and the different government agencies and the Office of the President represented by Presidential Assistant for North Luzon Dr. Enrie A. Mendoza.

They were not only taught of the importance of heritage churches as pilgrimage sites but also briefed on shopping, business opportunities and financing options for small businessmen.

Aside from immediate past Ilocos Sur governor DV Savellano, now Vice Governor, other public figures who also contributed to the success of the tourism program in Ilocos Sur were Cynthia Lazo, Department of Tourism director for domestic tourism promotions, Ching Zapanta of the Sacred Land of Asia and Msgr. Thaddeus Mercado.

Pilgrimage tourism seeks to promote religious tourist spots in the province like the UN Heritage Site Sta. Maria Church, St. Nicholas de Tolentino Church in Sinait, St. William the Hermit Church in Magsingal, Sta. Lucia Church, the Shrine of Nuestra Señora de la Caridad (Bantay), the Simbaan a Bassit (Vigan City), San Vicente Church, the Shrine of Santo Cristo Milagroso (Sinait) and the St. Paul’s Cathedral in Vigan City and the Catholic Church in this town.

[ St. William Church Wiki | Bantay Church Wiki]