The revival of the culture and arts is a sure way of enticing tourists, as some local government units (LGUs) in Laguna have found out.
The local government of San Pablo is the latest to embrace that trend, as evidenced by the ARTSTRAVAGANZA 2025 event held last October.
This was just one of the insights provided by city officials during the recent ManilART 2025 held at the SMX Aura Convention Center in Taguig City.
San Pablo City Tourism Officer for Special Projects An Mercado Alcantara served as one of the guest speakers at the event, with a special focus on “Creative Tourism Rising.”
Alcantara drew from her own experience in San Pablo City on the recent ARTSTRAVAGANZA 2025 event held from October 4 to 30.
The month-long event, which was part of the celebration of Museums and Galleries Month, showcased exhibits, art shows and various cultural programs at various local venues.
These include the Casa San Pablo, Color Commune, Sulyap Gallery, Art Corridor, Komikero Komiks Museum, Villa Escudero, Paraiso de Avedad, Verbena Gallery, at Lakehouse, and Studio 88 in the town of Nagcarlan.
"Kapag tayo ay namumuhunan sa pagkamalikhain, hindi lang tayo nagpopondo ng exhibit—bumubuo tayo ng ekosistema na nag-uugnay sa sining, kabuhayan, at pag-ibig sa sariling bayan,” Alcantara emphasized in her speech.
"Ang malikhaing ekonomiya ay kayang gawing kabuhayan ang talento, oportunidad ang pamana, at lakas ng ekonomiya ang pagmamalaki sa komunidad," she added.
Aside from reviving San Pablo City's arts and culture sector, the city's tourism sector under Mayor Najie Gapangada has also focused on encouraging San Pableños to become local tourism ambassadors through the "Balikan ang San Pablo" campaign.
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