Tourism tops Georgia's priorities if elected

CEBU, Philippines - The only woman contender in the mayoralty race in Cebu City plans to put up more tourist attractions in the city to encourage tourists to stay rather than just having Cebu as a jump off point to other provinces such as Bohol.

In The Freeman’s Know Your Candidate roundtable discussion on Tuesday, Georgia Osmeña lamented over the lack of tourist spots, aside from malls and beaches, in Cebu.  This has prompted tourists, especially foreigners, to travel to Bohol, where they can enjoy more attractions like the chocolate hills, beaches in Panglao and the Danao Adventure Park in Danao, Bohol.

“We (Cebu) are losing out to Bohol.  Most of the tourists stay in Cebu for just one day then spend two days or more in Bohol,” she said.

Meanwhile, John Henry “Sonny” Osmeña, Georgia’s cousin and rival in the mayoralty post, earlier said there is a need to aggressively market Cebu’s tourism potential, as Bohol is already catching up as the international port in Panglao nears completion.

“Years from now, tourists will not come to Cebu anymore,” he said.

Cebu has been the most favorite province in region 7 frequently visited by foreign tourists for years until Bohol started developing its ecological tourism potentials.  

Former Department of Tourism 7 Director Aurora Patria Roa earlier said Cebu will always play a key role in driving the tourism growth for Central Philippines as it is the gateway for tourists to go to the other provinces in the region like Siquijor, Bohol and Oriental Negros.

Meanwhile, the lady Osmeña said if ever she gets elected in the May 2010 polls, one of her priority projects would be to put up an amusement park in Cebu similar to the Enchanted Kingdom in Sta. Rosa Laguna, where people can go and unwind after going to the malls or enjoying the beaches.  

 A flower market, where all flower vendors will converge, would also be an additional attraction in the city. She also plans to relocate Carbon market to a well-ventilated area.

The mayoralty bet of the administration may be a neophyte in the political world but politics is not alien to her, being the daughter of the late Sergio Osmeña Jr. and the sister of incumbent Cebu City mayor Tomas Osmeña and senatorial candidate Sergio “Serge” Osmeña III.

Despite being an Osmeña, Georgia decided not to join Bando-Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan and created her own party, Go-Cebu, which she said is more focused on projects and advocacies for Cebu.

“I present myself to Cebuanos as an option.  It is for them to choose. We (the people in the party) are not traditional politicians.  We are all professionals.  I believe that the City needs new (breed of) leaders.  I believe the city is ready and needs a lady-mayor, who will run it like a mother or a wife runs her household,” she said. —Jessica B. Natad