With the majestic Mayon Volcano at the frontline of attractions and with thousands of tourists flocking to Legazpi City, the local government has renewed its drive to boost local tourism by opening more industry-related investment opportunities for the private sector.

Leonardo DiCaprio is reportedly set to visit Legazpi City early August. DiCaprio’s visit is being worked out by Joyce Ramirez, director for International Publicity at PR Asia Worldwide. If it pushes through, the actor’s visit is seen to help boost the tourism industry of the Philippines, especially in Albay, with Legazpi City as a world-class eco-tourism destination.

Low-cost carrier Airphil Express (formerly Air Philippines) returns to Legazpi City with a brand new A320 jet service. Airphil Express will fly daily from Manila to Legazpi and vice versa starting October 28, 2010. Designated as 2P 918, the flight will depart Manila at 9:25am and arrive at Legazpi at 10:25am. the return flight will depart Legazpi at 10:55 am and arrive in Manila at 11:55am. The new Airbus A320 planes can accommodate 177 passengers.

Less than a month after she was crowned Bb. Pilipinas-Universe, Maria Venus Raj has been dethroned by the Bb. Pilipinas Charities, Inc. due to questionable birth records. Ms. Raj, 21, hails from Bato, Camarines Sur. She graduated cum laude from Bicol University with a degree in AB Journalism. Ms. Raj is also Albay’s youth ambassador on climate change.

The city of Legazpi, under the leadership of Mayor Noel Rosal, was declared by the Department of Tourism as the top 14 major tourist destination of the Philippines for the first half of 2009. The city registered 67,264 visitors from January to June 2009 up by 10.9% from the same period in 2008 making Legazpi the 14th most visited destination in the country this year. With more tourism development projects in the pipeline and a more aggressive tourism campaign, Legazpi is expected to take a bigger share of the booming tourism industry.

Legazpi’s colorful month-long Ibalong Festival returns this October 2009. This year’s celebration promises to be more exciting and festive than ever before. The Ibalong Festival is a feast that celebrates Bicol’s ancient history as told in the Ibalong folk-epic fragment that recounts the adventures of Bikol’s early heroes: Baltog, Handiong and Bantong.

I welcome you to the City of Legazpi with great joy and excitement.

Allow us to take you to the beauty and wonder of our great pride, the Mayon Volcano. Experience the exhilaration of being close to and being at peace with nature. Climb our Lignon Hill. Take a look at our array of tourist destinations.