VIA GRAPHIC PLUS — Iloilo City’s status as a top tourism and meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) destination received another major boost with the visit of a leading high-end French expedition cruise company.

In a Facebook post, Iloilo City Mayor Raisa Treñas welcomed the return of Compagnie du Ponant, which is considering Iloilo City as a stopover destination in its upcoming Asian cruise itineraries.

“Welcome back to Iloilo City, Compagnie du Ponant! This leading high-end expedition French cruise company is considering Iloilo City as a stopover destination in their upcoming Asian cruise itineraries,” Treñas said.

The group, led by content producer Julien Fabro, filmed in various locations across the city, including the Iloilo Terminal Public Market. The produced content will be used to promote Iloilo City to the company’s future guests worldwide.

Treñas also thanked the Marketing Team of the city’s Local Economic Enterprise Office (LEEO) for facilitating the tour for the visitors.

“Let us continue to promote discipline, beauty, peace, and cleanliness so that our beloved Iloilo City will be recognized as a top tourism destination,” she added.

Iloilo City was recently named by the Department of Tourism (DOT) Western Visayas as the region’s MICE destination and recognized as a tourism champion for promoting multidimensional tourism products.

Aside from this, Iloilo City also received the Tourism Mover Award, the Model Tourist Attraction Award for its Iloilo River Esplanade, and the Top Contributing LGU for Same-Day Tourist Arrivals.

Former Senate President Franklin Drilon also lauded the newly redeveloped Iloilo Central and Terminal Markets, saying they are at par with public markets found in Europe and calling them “the most beautiful markets redeveloped through public-private partnership (PPP).”

The Iloilo City Government entered into a 25-year lease agreement with SM Prime Holdings, which invested approximately P3 billion in the Iloilo Central Market and Iloilo Terminal Market to modernize the facilities, transforming them into clean, safe, and efficient commercial hubs.

The redeveloped markets now house around 2,000 stalls, providing improved facilities for vendors and a more comfortable and organized shopping experience for consumers.

The Iloilo Central Public Market operates from 4:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., while the Iloilo Terminal Public Market is open from 1:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The market redevelopment aligns with the local government’s “My Heart Beats in Iloilo City” campaign, which aims to showcase the city’s unique heritage and culture while fostering a strong emotional connection between residents and their city.