Village Connect
Iloilo City continues to gain recognition as one of the Philippines’ emerging tourism and MICE hubs following the renewed interest of a prestigious French expedition cruise company in including the city in its future Asian routes.
Mayor Raisa Treñas recently welcomed representatives from Compagnie du Ponant, a luxury French cruise line known for its premium expedition voyages across different parts of the world. The company returned to Iloilo City to further explore its potential as a stopover destination for international cruise travelers seeking cultural and heritage-driven experiences in the Philippines.
Leading the delegation was content producer Julien Fabro, who documented several locations around the city to create promotional materials that will introduce Iloilo City to global cruise audiences. Among the featured sites was the Iloilo Terminal Public Market, one of the city’s newly modernized landmarks that reflects Iloilo’s blend of local culture and urban development.
The city government, through the Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO), assisted the group throughout the visit, highlighting Iloilo’s commitment to creating a welcoming and organized tourism environment. Mayor Treñas emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness, discipline, peace, and the city’s visual appeal as Iloilo continues to attract international attention.
The visit comes at a time when Iloilo City is earning multiple recognitions from the Department of Tourism Western Visayas. The city was recently named the region’s official MICE destination and cited as a tourism champion for promoting diverse tourism offerings that combine heritage, business, gastronomy, and cultural experiences.
Adding to its growing reputation are awards such as the Tourism Mover Award, the Model Tourist Attraction Award for the Iloilo River Esplanade, and recognition as the Top Contributing Local Government Unit for same-day tourist arrivals.
Former Senate President Franklin Drilon also praised the city’s redeveloped public markets, describing them as comparable to modern markets in Europe. The transformation of the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market was made possible through a public-private partnership between the Iloilo City Government and SM Prime Holdings, which invested around ₱3 billion into the redevelopment project.
Today, the upgraded facilities accommodate around 2,000 stalls while offering cleaner, safer, and more efficient spaces for both vendors and consumers. The project also supports Iloilo City’s “My Heart Beats in Iloilo City” campaign, which promotes civic pride, heritage appreciation, and stronger community connection while positioning the city as a globally competitive destination.
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