To spur the growth of the tourism industry amidst the challenges posed by the CoViD-19 pandemic, the Local Economic and Business Development Office (LEBDO) – Tourism Section presented the Local Tourism Development Plan to the members of the Tourism Development Council yesterday, September 9, 2020, at the People’s Hall. Mayor Alf Ortega, Tourism Council Chairperson, presided over the meeting. Also present were Hon. Luzan Valero-Ortega as the Vice-Chairperson, ABC Vice-Pres. Ram Guio Ortega representing Hon. Geraldine R. Ortega as one of the Council Members, and other major tourism stakeholders in the City. To strengthen the alignment to the City’s vision of becoming a Smart City by 2025, the Local Tourism Development Plan focuses on creating tourism smart communities, establishing tourism smart institutions, and strengthening tourism smart economy. Some of the enabling programs are the promotion of agri-tourism programs to local farmers, the creation of barangay tourism council, development of a mobile application for tourists, and identification and development of new tourist sites and attractions, among others. Further, the development plan aims to establish a smart tourism sector that promotes, protects, and preserves the community’s local heritage, culture, and the environment to boost the City’s economic growth. The said Programs, Projects, and Activities (PPAs) are to be implemented from CY2021 to CY2025. The City’s tourism plans and projects are proof that #SanFernandoAyatenKa spirit lives on despite the challenges. Your City Government pledges to push for smart initiatives in developing and promoting our local tourism scene. (Story by Keziah Arela Ibay) (Photos by Adrian Sebastian)