New markets offset slowdown in tourism

CEBU, Philippines - Tourism stakeholders in Cebu rely on the influx of new growth markets like China, India, Europe and the Middle East to offset the slowdown in major markets due to the global crisis.

Department of Tourism undersecretary Phineas Alburo said that despite the slowdown in long haul tourism travel, Cebu still managed to gain incremental growth in its tourism arrivals.

In the latest January statistics for foreign tourist arrivals to Cebu, Alburo said that compared to last year, Cebu was still able to grow by five percent despite the tough times of the economy.

He reported that for January alone this year, emerging markets like the Chinese tourists grew by 204 percent, tourists from Hong Kong was up by 163 percent while Russian tourists expanded 133 percent whereas the Indian market increased by 108 percent.

Alburo said that Cebu has salient and strong features which make it a preferred destination even amidst global recession.

“Cebu offers value for money tourism products, we have a strong Chinese influence, and foreign tourists can also get a VISA upon arrival which is unlike any other tourist destination,” said Alburo.

He said that Russian tourists usually stay for a maximum of 12 to 15 days and they are usually to have a leisure vacation.

Alburo said that so far, Russian tourists have three points of entry to the Philippines and DOT is planning to add more to make the country more accessible to the market.

He said that Indians are also increasing in arrivals and to further boost this market, DOT is currently working out with Philippine Airlines for a direct flight to New Delhi, India which will be opened on the second quarter of this year.

Alburo said that they are also looking into tapping European airline companies to have more flights and frequencies to these new markets.

After participating in the recently held travel fair in Switzerland, DOT is also currently looking at the prospect of tapping this huge European market.

“Europeans are attracted to tropical countries because their weather there is very cold. They are a huge market and great spenders,” said Alburo.

Alburo said that business travel has so far gone done since late last October because companies these days are cutting on their costs to offset any potential negative impacts of the crisis to their businesses.

He said that the influx of these emerging markets is very helpful for Cebu’s tourism industry to ease up the slowdown brought about by the global economic recession.—Rhia de Pablo