This was according to Tourism regional director Edwin Trompeta as he stressed that the four-day event is one way of putting together the various heritage, cultural attractions of Western, Central and Eastern Visayas regions.

Trompeta added that Central Philippines has been included in the tourism belt because of its beach resorts found in Bohol, Cebu and Boracay.

“We are not only known for that; we also have our other attractions. We are also known as a cultural and heritage destination,” he said.

Visayas is also noted for its various festivals.

In fact 11 festivals representing various local government units in the Visayas will be joining the “Parade of Festivals” on the opening day.

These are the Binirayan of Antique; Dinagyang of Iloilo; Tagbuan of Capiz; Masskara of Bacolod City; Kanyon of Negros Occidental; Palawod of Bantayan, Hinulawan from Toledo City, Mantawi from Mandaue City, Ani-Anihan from Tabuelan, Karansa from Danao and Bonga from Sibonga all of Cebu.

Further, organizers of the “One Visayas” lined up 13 other activities.

These include workshops on storytelling, break dancing or b-boying, cooking demonstration, outreach programs, cultural presentations, concert at the park, film showing, among others.

The second One Visayas is being organized by the Regional Development Committee composed of the three Regional Development Councils from Regions 6,7 and 8, Department of Tourism and the Provincial Government of Capiz.

The organizers also invited President Arroyo to be the guest of honor.

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Ricafort said the promotion and media mileage to be generated by the hot air balloon fest is expected to create more interests among prospective investors on the potentials of Clark as an investment destination.

He said that the annual event helps bring to Clark more foreign and local tourists during the month of February.

“We cannot deny the fact that the event bring to Clark thousands of aerosports enthusiasts from the local and international communities,” Ricafort said.

Tourism-related industries in Clark also get a boost as villas and hotel rooms are all fully booked during this time, including those outside the Clark Freeport, he said.

“It’s a big promotion for Clark and this is one of the major sporting events that puts Clark in Asia’s tourism limelight,” he said.

The 15th hot air balloon festival, which is under the auspices of Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Foundation, Inc. (PIHABFFI), is expected to break the attendance record of more than 60,000 local and foreign tourists that trooped here last year.

The event will also showcase various air-sporting events like sky diving, ultra-light fly-in, airplane rally and balloon bursting competitions, aerobatic stunts and precision flying, aero-modelers flight exhibition from the Aeromodelers Association, helicopter fly-by and choreographed kite flying demonstrations by the Kite Association of the Philippines.

Other on-site activities at Air Force complex at Clark include mini-trade fair, food plazas, car & airplanes shows and exhibits, game booths, and live concerts.

“This is an opportune time for you and your loved ones to enjoy, up-close and personal, four fun-filled days as colorful and odd-shaped hot air balloons take to the skies,” he added. (PNA)

Checkout -> Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 Photos

Lakbay Norte will tour for eight days the following places by bus: Cagayan Valley, Ilocos Norte, La Union, Baguio City, Pangasinan, Subic Bay, Tarlac, Pampanga to include Clark Free Port Zone.

In the Province of Cagayan, Lakbay Norte visited the Callao Caves Tourist Zone (Callao Cave Adventure), Piat Basilica Minore (Pilgrimage) and Visita Iglesia at Iguig, Alcala, Lallo, Camalaniugan and Pamplona. A formal dinner and press briefing was also held at Paseo Real last Monday, January 25 with Governor Alvaro T. Antonio and other officials.

Director Blessilda Diwa of the Department of Tourism (DOT) has expressed strong support to the private sector initiative by sponsoring some of the activities as well as promoting the event.

“DOT Region 2 believes that the Lakbay Norte will greatly encourage inter-regional travel considering that North Philippines is very accessible through good road network and with diverse and exceptionally beautiful destinations, products and services”, Diwa added.

Lakbay Norte is timed during the pre-summer off-peak season to provide hype and timely release of news features which will be generated by the hosting of the travel writers prior to the travel season this year. The event is also expected to boost the promotion of North Philippines after the setbacks brought about by the recent typhoons that ravaged North Luzon. (PIA 2)

“One of the world’s best beaches deserves a first-class airport. We join Boracay’s stakeholders in upholding this milestone as it aims to haul in a sizeable traffic of tourists and create more jobs for the people,” said Ace Durano, Secretary of Tourism. The DOT and the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) were present at the project’s recent groundbreaking led by President Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo.

The P2.507B Build, Operate and Transfer project granted to private consortium Caticlan International Airport Development Company (CIADC) began its first of three construction phases, which cover a total 7-year period.

The long-term infrastructure development includes addition of a second-level to the terminal building; upgrading of facilities such as the fire station, fencing and navigational aids; tapering of the bordering hill adjacent to the runway, lengthening and widening of the runway, installation of navigation and air traffic tower, and construction of a new 9,200 square-meter two-storey terminal building.

From 950 meters by 30 meters, the runway will be upgraded to 2,100 meters by 45 meters.

“The widening and lengthening of the runway will allow bigger aircrafts such as the Airbus to bring in more passengers straight to Caticlan,” said Durano.

The airport is currently limited to one way landing or take-off for smaller planes due to the constricted landing strip.

Environmental issues raised against the development have been promptly addressed, according to Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque, Jr., Tourism Planning and Promotions.

“An Environment Compliance Certificate was issued already, four years prior to the project launch,” said Jarque.

The DOT further maintains that there will be no leveling or flattening of the hill involved in the runway expansion, but rather a tapering of the adjacent slope to ensure passenger safety during take-off.

“The slope reduction is necessary to avoid the abrupt degree of ascent for bigger planes. This proposal was preceded by a thorough Environmental Impact Assessment,” added Attorney Victoria Jasmin, DOT Director of Office of Tourism Standards.

In 2009, Boracay received nearly 700,000 tourists from all over the country and the world.