
ILOILO CITY – Newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT)-Region 6 Director Crisanta "Krisma" Marlene P. Rodriguez vowed to boost tourism revenues in Western Visayas as the pandemic wanes.
“Our aim is to boost tourism revenues highlighting the heritage, culture, arts, and experiences of the provinces," said Rodriguez who officially took over this week.
World-famous Boracay Island is located in Western Visayas but many other tourist destinations in the region are still struggling to bounce back from the pandemic.
Rodriguez wants to solidify partnerships among the local governments and tourism stakeholders in Aklan, Antique, Capiz, Guimaras, Iloilo, and Negros Occidental provinces as well as the highly urbanized cities of Iloilo and Bacolod.
Rodriguez has paid courtesy calls on Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. of Iloilo and Mayor Jerry Mayor Jerry Treñas here.
Prior to her appointment at the DOT, Rodriguez worked for the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) as regional director in Zamboanga and the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB).
Rodriguez is expected to bring her environmental expertise to boost a naturally sustainable tourism sector.