Cebu needs to improve infra to lure high-end travellers

CEBU, Philippines - Tourism stakeholders in Cebu reiterated their confidence on the province’s huge potential to capture the world’s high-end tourists, but it has to fix its infrastructure to fully attract this   market.

Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu general manager Lyle Lewis said Cebu has all what it takes to attract travellers across social segment, and luring the high-end market can be easily achieved if infrastructure and tourist attractions will be improved.

“Infrastructure and attraction are vital for a destination to succeed. Airport access in particular is very important,” said Lewis in an interview.

With the active collaboration between the government and private sector players in Cebu, this could be attained even in the short term, Lewis said.

Likewise, in a separate interview with Cebu City Waterfront Hotel and Casino general manager Alfred Portenschlager, he said that Cebu has all the charm to attract the wealth travelers more so if  needed infrastructure should be put  in place.

Portenschlager said that if Cebu is going to take advantage of its potential to get the high-end business and leisure travelers from all over the world, it has to work hard on putting the right infrastructure, and providing travel accessibility should be the first priority.

The tourism players believe that while the province is already well-known as a destination that offers both business and leisure attractions, it has to move further in seizing the high-spending travelers, and offer what this particular market is looking for.

Portenschlager added that aside from putting on support services for the high end market such as offering world-class accommodation facilities and services, travel accessibility is very important.

Although there are a number of low cost airlines providing travel access to different destinations in Asia, Portenschlager said business and the wealthy travelers prefer convenience over cost.

He  said that Cebu should not cheapen itself because it has huge potential to attract the middle to high-end market which can afford to spend more on transportation cost, leisure, and others.

He added that it is “hard” for the business market to be forced to transfer to low cost carrier  just to get to Cebu.

There are many alternative business and leisure destinations in Asia. The competition is tough that is why the Philippines, and Cebu particularly,  must  trail-blaze in seizing the opportunity to further boost tourism, Portenschlager said.

For his part, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS) chairman emeritus Bobby Lim Joseph said that Cebu should attract tourism capitalists that would build six-star hotel and resort facilities.

“Cebu needs more five star or six star hotel and resort facilities. It needs  signature brand shops, nicer and bigger museums, and more attractions that could entice the high end foreign tourist market,” said Joseph.

“We have to develop Cebu as high end destination, thereby attracting the big MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) market from all over the world,” Joseph said. (FREEMAN)