Mayor John Dalipe Tuesday afternoon meets with Tourism and Promotions Board (TPB) officials including Travel and Tour Operators Association and national media members, who are in the city for the Community-based Tourism Marketing Enhancement Program.

Mayor Dalipe invited the tourism stakeholders to explore Zamboanga City and to be the city’s ambassadors of good will. The city, he said, has been adjudged as the top tourist destination in Zamboanga Peninsula in 2024 by the Department of Tourism.

As proof of this, Mayor Dalipe said Zamboanga City recorded a total of 721,699 tourist arrivals, surpassing its target of 683,744 in 2024. More or less 10 national and international conventions were held in the city last year.

Citing City Tourism Office records, Mayor Dalipe also said Zamboanga City has 94 accommodations, 61 resorts, 296 restaurants, 83 ticketing agencies, and 41 travel and tours agencies.

The courtesy visit was facilitated by City Tourism Officer Sarita Sebastian.

Meanwhile, the TPB vowed to help promote Zamboanga City as an important tourist destination in this part of the country.

The community-based Tourism Marketing Enhancement Program that the TPB is attending in the city forms part of the Philippine Experience Program (PEP), which was launched in the city in 2024. (CMO-PIO) (photo credits: Kathy Wee Sit)