Bacolod has to make sure that tourists have more reason to stay longer and spend their money in the city, Dr. Robert Lim Joseph, Honorary Consul General of Latvia, said yesterday.

Joseph was the guest speaker at the Hospitality and Tourism Management Regional Summit 2013 at L’Fisher Hotel in Bacolod City.

He said Bacolod has already started to create a name for itself but there is a need to increase public awareness of its potentials for tourism and how it can benefit the local industry, to attract more investments from local and foreign investors.

The city must also offer local products and improve its services for tourists so they will remember the pleasure and satisfaction of their stay in Bacolod, Joseph also said.

Joseph, who is also the chairman of the Tourism Educators and Movers Philippines, said the local government of Bacolod should also invest in putting up a convention center that adheres to international standards.

He said a convention center is a good investment because Bacolod has been hosting big events, sports tournaments, summits and conferences.

“We have to put up a brand for Bacolod and promote and market it to the world and we have to continue developing products and destinations to keep tourists coming to the city,” Joseph said.

Hotels that meet international standards are also necessary if the city is trying to capture a global market, he also said.

“We want expensive hotels and destinations because we want to encourage people to spend their money for the local industry to benefit from it,” Joseph added.

He also urged the city to create the Bacolod Department of Tourism for an intensified campaign and promotion on tourism development.

Joseph said there is a need for people to campaign for the city and creating such department will merit budget allocation that will be used for marketing, promotion, and other activities that will boost local tourism.

The tourism summit was held in cooperation with TEAM Western Visayas, the Council of Hotel and Restaurant Educators of the Philippines Region VI, and La Consolacion College-Bacolod School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Joseph reminded the students to have the proper values and positive attitude towards their careers because opportunities await them when they graduate.

He said tourism graduates are in demand for jobs locally and abroad. However, they have to prepare and improve their skills to compete with others, Joseph added.*LTG

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