Stakeholders point out Cebu's tourism pitfalls

CEBU, Philippines - Although Cebu is continuously enjoying the limelight as one of the favorite destinations for both local and foreign tourists, it has to immediately address some issues that stakeholders feared could impede Cebu’s attractiveness in the next few years.

During the recently concluded “Tourism Congress,” tourism private stakeholders called the attention of the Local Government Units (LGUs), including the national government to arrest Cebu’s deterioration in terms of infrastructure, safety, and cleanliness.

The congress which was part of the Cebu Business Month (CBM 2011) celebration, themed “Tourism Beyond Boundaries,” magnified Cebu’s concerns on tourism, and stakeholders are hopeful that the government will be able to lend its ears and take immediate actions, otherwise Cebu will eventually lose its charm.

Honorary Russian Consul in Cebu Armi Lopez Garcia said that Cebu should prepare for the influx of Russian tourists, as the province is gaining popularity among wealthy Russian travelers, however, Cebu should trail blaze in fixing some problems that may discouraged the interest of Russian visitors.

Aside from addressing the safety, cleanliness and infrastructure, Garcia emphasized the need for Cebu LGUs to lead the implementation of “empowering” the community as “guardians of tourism” through constant education and awareness.

Likewise, United Kingdom (UK) consul in Cebu Moya Jackson magnified Cebu’s deteriorating “safety” to tourists system, saying one of the most important come-ons especially for a destination is to address the security of tourists in a destination.

“Safety—is impossible in Cebu. Enough has been said about Cebu—the good things,” Jackson said adding that if safety issue can’t be addressed immediately, this will eventually discouraged tourists to come to Cebu.

However, although these diplomats pointed their fingers to the “concerned agencies” in the government to fix these pitfalls of Cebu tourism, both Jackson and Garcia agreed that Cebu is still the safest place in the Philippines.

While Cebu’s wet-markets especially the legendary “Carbon Market” is one of the most desired places tourists’ like to go, to explore the “culture” of Cebu, Jackson said safety and cleanliness in Carbon Market should be implemented.

On the other hand, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) officer Ted Locson assured that the chamber has been coordinating with LGUs and concerned government agencies like the Police to promote safety within Cebu, and thus tourists will be able to wander freely.

The Congress also held a thorough discussion on the effects of the implementation of “Open Sky Policy” to Cebu tourism. Although, this could fast tract the doubling of arrival volumes to the Philippines, specifically Cebu, tourism stakeholders agreed that infrastructure should be prepared first.

Fixing the capacity to host more international airlines, as well as offering more accommodation facilities were not one of the few concerns that Cebu should address in order to prepare for the positive effects of the “Open Sky” policy.

 In the next few years, the CCCI tourism committee led by tourism advocate Milagros Espina, will release its recommendation/position paper to be submitted to different concerned government agencies to make immediate “actions” on the possible tourism pitfalls that could hamper Cebu’s potential to sustain its tourism wealth and attractiveness to the world’s traveling market. (FREEMAN)