Cebu Philippines Tourism Image as Leisure Destination Should be Maintained

Cebu Philippines tourism should be strengthened says a senior official of the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), who is urging Cebuanos to maintain Cebu’s image as an attractive leisure destination.

Tourism Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said Cebu is more attractive than other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao due to its accessibility, hospitable people, supportive local government units (LGUs), peace and order as well as the presence of natural and man-made attractions.

”It’s a question of image. And it’s a challenge to maintain this image in the international market. Since Cebu is already a beautiful place, what we need to improve is our cleanliness,” he said.

Alburo also noted that other provinces, like Davao, have the potential to become a tourist destination but its accessibility still poses a problem for tourists.

In Bohol, Police Regional Office 7 Director Ronald Roderos said tourism prospered due to the LGU-led campaign against insurgency and the establishment of Bohol tourist police unit and assistance centers at the Chocolate Hills, Tarsier Sanctuary, Loboc River and Panglao Island.

”As long as we have tourists, we will be doing well. We just have to keep adding facilities to boost the industry and generate employment,” Alburo said.

DOT is optimistic that the opening of the Imperial Palace Waterpark Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City and SM Investment Corp.’s 20-storey hotel that will carry the Radisson brand beside SM City-Cebu mall, will create at least 2,300 jobs within the Cebu Philippines tourism sector.