Iloilo City’s status as one of the Philippines’ leading tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destinations continues to grow following the visit of a prominent French expedition cruise company.
In a Facebook post, Raisa Treñas welcomed the return of Compagnie du Ponant, which is considering Iloilo City as a stopover destination for its upcoming Asian cruise itineraries.
“Welcome back to Iloilo City, Compagnie du Ponant! This leading high-end expedition French cruise company is considering Iloilo City as a stopover destination in their upcoming Asian cruise itineraries,” Treñas said.
The visit further strengthens Iloilo City’s growing reputation as a tourism hub in Western Visayas. The possible inclusion of the city in future Asian cruise routes could help attract more international travelers and expand Iloilo City’s global tourism presence.
International Content Production Showcases Iloilo City Attractions
The visiting group was led by content producer Julien Fabro and filmed in several locations around the city, including the Iloilo Terminal Public Market.
The content produced during the visit will be used to promote Iloilo City to the cruise company’s future guests worldwide. The international exposure is expected to highlight the city’s heritage, culture, local attractions, and urban developments to a broader audience.
Treñas also expressed gratitude to the Marketing Team of the city’s Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) for facilitating the visitors’ tour.
“Let us continue to promote discipline, beauty, peace, and cleanliness so that our beloved Iloilo City will be recognized as a top tourism destination,” she added.
The mayor emphasized the importance of maintaining the city’s cleanliness, orderliness, and peaceful environment as Iloilo City continues to strengthen its tourism industry.
Iloilo City Recognized as Western Visayas’ MICE Destination
Iloilo City was recently recognized by the Department of Tourism Western Visayas as the region’s MICE destination and a tourism champion for promoting multidimensional tourism products.
The recognition reflects the city’s growing role in hosting conferences, exhibitions, meetings, and tourism-related events in the region. Iloilo City continues to attract visitors through its combination of modern infrastructure, cultural attractions, and accessible public spaces.
In addition to these recognitions, Iloilo City also received the Tourism Mover Award, the Model Tourist Attraction Award for the Iloilo River Esplanade, and the Top Contributing LGU for Same-Day Tourist Arrivals.
These awards further highlight the city’s continued efforts to improve tourism facilities and visitor experiences while promoting sustainable tourism development.
Redeveloped Markets Support Tourism and Local Economy
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon also praised the newly redeveloped Iloilo Central and Terminal Markets, saying they are comparable to public markets in Europe and describing them as “the most beautiful markets redeveloped through public-private partnership (PPP).”
The Iloilo City Government entered into a 25-year lease agreement with SM Prime Holdings, which invested approximately P3 billion in the modernization of the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market.
The redevelopment transformed the facilities into clean, safe, and efficient commercial hubs that support both tourism and local economic activity. The upgraded markets now provide improved facilities for vendors and a more organized shopping experience for consumers.
The redeveloped markets currently house around 2,000 stalls.
The Iloilo Central Public Market operates from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while the Iloilo Terminal Public Market is open from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
“My Heart Beats in Iloilo City” Campaign Drives Tourism Growth
The redevelopment project aligns with the local government’s “My Heart Beats in Iloilo City” campaign, which aims to showcase the city’s heritage and culture while fostering a stronger emotional connection between residents and their community.
Through tourism initiatives, infrastructure improvements, and international promotional efforts, Iloilo City continues to strengthen its position as one of the country’s emerging tourism and MICE destinations.
The visit of Compagnie du Ponant marks another important step in Iloilo City’s ongoing efforts to attract international visitors and establish itself as a recognized tourism destination in Asia.
