The City of Sipalay, a top tourist destination in Negros Occidental, is pushing for the development of its local creative industries through integration with the tourism sector under the “Lakbay Sipalay Creative Tours Project.”

Supervising tourism officer Jerick Lacson said on Tuesday that with the growing number of tourists in Sipalay City, the city government seeks to maximize the opportunity by spreading the reach of tourism to the various sectors, such as the local producers, artisans, farmers, and fisherfolk.

“This way, we are able to boost the local economy while showcasing the different creative industries of Sipalaynons. With this project, we were able to craft a creative tour package with the local tour guides for tourists who want to experience more of Sipalay,” Lacson said in an interview.

The project is being implemented with a grant from the 2024 Lunsod Lunsad of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), aiming to support and empower local creative talents, promote economic sustainability, and develop the cultural and creative landscapes of cities in the country.

In October, the City Tourism Development and Promotion Office, along with the City Cooperative Development Office, organized a series of workshops as part of the project’s Phase 1, including training on product enhancement and innovation for creative micro, small, and medium enterprises, for both food producers and non-food producers, and a creative tours development workshop.

These were conducted in partnership with the DTI, with resource speakers from the Department of Tourism, Association of Negros Producers Marketing Cooperative, University of St. La Salle, and Carlos Hilado Memorial State University.

Under Phase 2, the activities included the Sipalay Creative Industries and Tourism Food Festival 2024, the Sipalay City Tourism Excellence Awards 2024, and the blessing and opening of the Hiyas Sipalay City Pasalubong Shop.

The shop, located at the Sipalay City Multi-Purpose Center, is part of the southern Negros city’s efforts to enhance tourism and provide visitors with a variety of authentic local souvenirs, such as handicrafts and food items created by the Association of Sipalay Producers.

Sipalay, located about 175 km. south of Bacolod, is dubbed “The Jewel of Sugar Island” for its white-sand beaches and crystal-clear waters that draw foreign and domestic tourists. (PNA)