Korean tourism groups lament on redundant policies in Lapu

CEBU, Philippines - The Korean Consulate office in Cebu led by Consul Augusto Go, along with the tourism stakeholders here is going to meet with the Lapu-Lapu City officials, and Department of Tourism (DOT) secretary Ramon Jimenez to resolve the series of problems faced by tourism services providers, especially those handling Korean visitors. In a consultative meeting held recently with Cebu tourism stakeholders, led by the Korean Association of Tour Operators (KATO), Cebu Korean Association, Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO), Cebu Association of Tour Guides (CAT-G), as well as hoteliers and airlines, Korean tourists handlers lamented on the redundancy of requirements implemented recently by the Lapu-Lapu City government through an ordinance.

KATO president Alex Lee expressed that the Lapu-Lapu government is making it hard for the tourism service providers to comply with some of the requirements, specifically permits, identification cards, when in fact the organization’s members have already obtained DOT-accredited IDs.

Likewise, CAT-G president Judilyn Taghoy shared KATO’s sentiment, saying tour guides are made to comply with several requirements in Lapu-Lapu City, which are redundant to the nationally issued identification cards among tour guides.

These and other concerns were aired out by the tourism stakeholders during the recent forum, also present were officials of the Korean Embassy in Manila.

Korean Consul to Cebu Augusto Go said that in order to boost Korean arrivals to Cebu, these concerns should be immediately brought up to the concerned LGU executives in Lapu-Lapu City, and more importantly, the DOT secretary Jimenez should be informed of this problem.

“The government [DOT] is spending money to attract more tourists to the country, and here we are making it difficult for our tourists once they’re here. Something is wrong here,” said Go, who described the current Lapu-Lapu City ordinance another “money-making” venture.

Tour guides and travel operators are required to take a seminar, permit, and identification ID to the Lapu-Lapu City Hall, although they have already obtained similar seminar and IDs issued by the Department of Tourism.

There are about 15 Korean travel agencies in Cebu, about 83 are Korean tour guides, Lee said these groups are helping Cebu to attract more Korean national to visit Cebu, although there are other destinations in the Philippines that have good attraction infrastructure such as in Bicol, and other areas.

In the first quarter of this year, Cebu recorded a total of 100 thousand Koreans arrived and visited the province.

Korean visitors are also complaining of the Bureau of Customs (BOCs) taxing scheme upon arrival in the airport, saying there are many problems Korean tourists are facing, unlike other destinations like Thailand, wherein travel details are well systematic.

Go said the government, both national and the LGU should make a harmonized rules in handling both foreign tourists, and the tourists’ service providers, if ‘we are serious in growing our tourism industry.”

Already, the Korean groups, KATO and CAT-G have submitted a formal position paper on this issue with the Lapu-Lapu City government, but until now, they are still waiting for the response.

CATO former president Cecille Sa-a, on the other hand, expressed hopes that this problem will be resolved, if a proper venue for discussion with the concerned officials of the Lapu-Lapu City and the DOT will be held soon.

At present, DOT-7 regional director Rowena Montecillo cannot be reached for comment, as she is still on a travel sales mission abroad.

Korean tourism providers in Cebu, expressed apprehension that if government policies in handling foreign guests will continue to inconvenience them, this could give a threatening impact to the country’s tourism industry.

Korean nationals are the largest foreign visitors to the Philippines, in the last few years now. Followed closely by Japanese, Chinese, and the Americans. (FREEMAN)