If Cebu’s shopping and entertainment facilities will be further established, the province is seen to attract a sizeable number of Indian tourists, said Indian Ambassador to the Philippines Rajeet Mitter.
Unfortunately, Cebu’s beaches will not be attractive for the Indian travelers.
“Shopping is the best comeon to lure growing Indian travelers. The reason why, thousands and thousands of Indian tourists are going to Singapore, primarily for shopping,” said Mitter.
The Ambassador said Cebu has an inviting environment, but it should not include sea-side attractions when promoting to Indian market, it should be shopping, sight-seeing, and food.
Because of improving economy in India, he said there is now growing number of Indians that can afford to travel outside of their country. Usually, this market who travels with family, which means one package, could mean a group of two to three clans going together on vacation.
According to Mitter, Indian tourists are one of the highest spenders in the world. Those Indians that travels spends largely on shopping, food, and leisure.
Thus, it is very important for Cebu to establish good malls, attractive shopping destinations, the likes of “Pasalubong Center” destinations, and varied choices of food or restaurant facilities, and entertainment joints.
Indians like to shop for electronics, jewelry and clothes, that is why Singapore is the number destination for Indians, with 130 flights a year to India, and over 1 million India nationals arrival to Singapore every year.
The efforts of the Department of Tourism (DOT) to tap the increasing number of Indian travelers should focus on these attractions when marketing to this market, the Ambassador said.
Showcasing the spectacular shopping destinations and wide shopping malls can make a magnate to the Indian market, he reiterated.
“India has increasing upper-middle class,” Mitter said, these market are the traveling type and high spenders.
Earlier, DOT undersecretary for tourism planning and promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. said that one of the tourism markets that Cebu should watch out for, are the India nationals, who are now discovering to travel in the Philippines, specifically Cebu.
Jarque said that Indians’ are now starting to travel in the Philippines, and one of their favorite destinations is Cebu.
According to Jarque, Cebu’s good nightlife facilities is one of the few attractions that Indian males love to go, while women love to shop.—Ehda M. Dagooc
