'City of Vinta' attracts more tourists

One of the many festivals of Zamboanga City, the

Regatta de Zamboanga is a festival of colorful

sailboats. It is usually held within the month-long

activities of the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival in

October every year. The City Government of

Zamboanga conducts the Regatta in the form of a

race of colorful vintas, and fabulous prizes are given

to winners. (HADER GLANG)

TOURIST inflow to this city is expected to double this year from last year’s figure of 293,446, as it has drawn a lot of visitors since January 1, according to the Department of Tourism (DoT) regional office 9.

Ric San Juan, DoT regional director for Western Mindanao, said "this maybe partly due to our much improve peace and order condition which has gained visitor’s confidence of their safety while in this city vacationing."

Meanwhile, Mayor Celso Lobregat said through the active participation of the private sector and members of the Fourth Estate, the impression that the city’s abnormal peace and order condition is bad has been disproved.

"Tourists, both domestic and foreign, are starting to come to Zamboanga to see the reality, the beauty and peaceful conditions of the city," he told reporters in a press conference at City Hall.

"We are now promoting Zamboanga City as a convention center as it had played host to more than 20 national conventions like those of Philippine Nurses Association, the Seaweeds Congress and the Mango Congress," he added.

Late last year, some diplomats visited the city along with Zamboangueños living in United States and Canada. (Press Release)