By Leilanie Adriano
LAOAG CITY – The Ilocos Norte government is collaborating with the Manila Economic and Cultural Office (MECO) in Taiwan to lure more tourists and investors to the province.
In an interview on Wednesday, provincial board member Saul Lazo said they recently approved Provincial Resolution No. 2025-09-050 authorizing Governor Cecilia Araneta-Marcos to enter into a memorandum of agreement with MECO, represented by Director Corazon Padiernos, and Cheese Advertising Co., Ltd., represented by Director Ling Peng or by any other authorized representatives, for the promotion of Ilocos Norte’s tourism and cultural industry in Taiwan.
“The primary objective of this project is to promote the province of Ilocos Norte as a premiere travel destination for Taiwanese tourists through influencer-led content and data-driven digital engagement strategies,” Lazo, who sponsored the resolution, said.
A tourism campaign program funded by the provincial government is expected to be launched soon, in partnership with a team of influencers from Taipei who will be coming to Ilocos Norte this October to explore and document the best tourism and potential investment the province can offer to the Taiwanese market.
The MOA aims to strategically position the province as a top investment destination for East Asian countries and a major commercial hub in northern Philippines, linking the northern and central parts of Luzon to the self-ruled island, Hong Kong and countries such as China, Japan and South Korea.
Lazo said the main targets are family tourists from Taiwan and those who are interested in playing casino and golf.
To date, the 18-hole Paoay golf course and a casino operation are being readied for tourists in the province.
The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) has allotted PHP12 million for the golf course redevelopment, while tapping private investors to help create golf packages for both leisure and professional golfers.
The casino operation, on the other hand, is being revived at the Fort Ilocandia Resort where it used to lure foreign nationals via chartered flights at the Laoag International Airport. (PNA)
