ILOILO CITY is aiming to be part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network — joining Baguio and Cebu, the only two Philippine cities in the group — through the food category. Mayor Jerry P. Treñas said the Creative City tag would be part of the campaign to boost tourism. “If we will be identified by UNESCO, for our food, I don’t know if we will also be identified by architectural, probably we get to have more people visit Iloilo,” he said in an interview last week. The mayor was scheduled to hold meetings in Manila over the weekend to gather advice and information for what he described as a new “journey” for the title. “It’s going to be long and tedious process, but this will be another feather on the cap of Iloilo City. And I think everyone is working together to make sure that we achieve our goals,” he said. Meanwhile, the city government is also looking at a branding campaign, which will be bid out. IPG Mediabrands Philippines are among those tapped to come up with a proposal. “We’re here to study and to have immersion on what Iloilo can offer on its tourism segments, we know that you have Dinagyang (Festival) and half of tourist arrivals come from Dinagyang, but… you have to make them come for the whole year to be a successful brand,” said IPG Mediabrands Philippines Chief Executive Officer Venus Peralta during a visit last Thursday. Mr. Treñas said the branding is part of efforts to complement the regional tourism sector’s campaign to make Iloilo a preferred destination for the meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibits (MICE) segment. — Emme Rose S. Santiagudo

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