Iloilo City is set to host the Sports Tourism Forum on June 5, bringing together key players from the tourism, sports, and education sectors. This one-day event marks the first time the forum will be held in Panay Island, drawing around 100 participants from across the country.
Jointly organized by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region VI, Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc., and the Provincial and City Governments of Iloilo, the forum aims to advance the growth of sports tourism in the Philippines.
“This is a sports tourism MICE event, and we are excited to present a strong panel of industry leaders,” said Charles Lim, president of Sports Turismo Alliance, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sports tourism.
Among the speakers is DOT Assistant Secretary Roberto Alabado, who also serves as Regional Director for Region IV-B and leads the department’s Sports Tourism portfolio.
Also joining the lineup are:
- Princess Galura of Sunrise Events, organizer of IRONMAN and 5150 triathlons
- Patrick Gregorio of DuckWorld PH, behind the revived MPTC Tour of Luzon
- Jamelle Camba of Subic Bay Freeport Zone
- Carlo Sampan, AVP of Milo Sports Program
- Celso Jimenez Jr., organizer of the National Big Bike Convention
- Cleofe Albiso, Managing Director of Megaworld Hotels & Resorts.
Lim emphasized the growing interest of local government units in developing sports hubs to attract tourism, saying, “This forum is designed to guide cities through that journey and create synergy for future growth.”
The event is supported by Cebu Pacific, Megaworld Hotels & Resorts, and The Primer Group.
Registration is ongoing. Interested participants may email arantxa.selrahco@gmail.com or call 0920-840-4817.
