Travel experts crafting new itinerary concepts

CEBU, Philippines — Bracing for the anticipated influx of tourists once the new airport terminal opens, Cebu-based tour specialists are now conceptualizing new tour packages that would entice tourists to stay longer.

Alice Queblatin, president of Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) announced that travel operators are now busy drawing up interesting tour packages for Cebu and its neighboring destinations to make tourists stay longer than three nights and four days.

According to Queblatin, encouraging tourists to extend their stay is highly possible as there are a lot of destinations in the neighboring provinces that will be included in the packages.

Europeans for instance usually spend 14 days in one destination, but this can stretched further is tour packages are attractive.

Aside from Cebu, tour packages may now include two more destinations depending on the interest of the visitors.

Cebu will be promoted as the jump off point because of the availability of direct flights connecting Cebu to different continents in the world.

"The challenge of Cebu right now is we are a mono destination," Queblatin said adding that in order to change this impression, more attractions, activities, destinations will be added to make the Cebu experience more memorable.

Cebu is predominantly known for beaches, culture and heritage. Queblatin said this image will slowly change as Cebu will introduce more diverse offerings, from beaches, urban lifestyle, to mountains and rural attractions, farm and faith tourism, culinary and wellness packages, among others.

She reiterated that tour packages will move from mere sight-seeing to immersions, experiential and interactive activities. (FREEMAN)