GMCAC to launch a new promotional blitz to India

CEBU, Philippines — Recognizing Indian tourists as potential new market for Cebu, airport operator Mactan Cebu Airport operator GMR-MEGAWIDE Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) announced to mount another promotional blitz to India next year.

“Cebu is not popular among Indians. Not even the Philippines,” said GMCAC chief executive advisor Andrew Harrison.

Aside from weak promotional campaigns, the access to flights is one of the main reasons why Indian travelers opt to travel to other countries like Thailand.

“Availability of direct lights access is a problem, as well as Visa problem,” added Harrison.

This year, GMCAC organized a six-day delegation from Cebu to introduce the Philippines, particularly Cebu, to the Indian market.

The group visited the Western part of India starting with Mumbai and five other cities in the west Indian corridor.

Next year, Harrison said a group of Indian travel agents will be visiting Cebu to check on the facilities and destinations that Indian tourists that may interest Indian tourists.

“Indian travel agents want to connect with local travel agents. Visa is also problem. Easier for them [Indian] to get US visa in order to come to Philippines,” he said.

GMCAC is also leading the pack in pressuring the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to ease the granting of VISA for Indians traveling to the Philippines.

“Indians opt to go to Bali, [Indonesia] because of easier visa access,” he emphasized.

Already, the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced its move to push for friendlier Visa guidelines major markets, particularly China and India.

DOT undersecretary for Tourism Development Planning Benito C. Bengzon Jr., the agency has been meeting with the DFA and Department of Justice to look into the possibilities of implementing friendlier visa guidelines to attract more foreign visitors to visit the country.

Bengzon said DOT specifically sought to facilitate the visa upon arrival (VUA) processing for Indian tourists.  Indian tourist arrivals grew by 15.41 percent to 63,089 in the first half of 2018.

Cebu Alliance of Tour Operator Specialists (CATOS) president Alice Queblatin said that traveling-wealthy Indians are already starting to come to Cebu, "this market is very interesting."

Aside from attractive wedding packages of Cebu that enticed more Indians to come, Queblatin confirmed that shopping and other soft adventure packages, and island-beach sites thrilled Indian tourists.

Part of DOT’s marketing strategy to is “to make the Indian tourists stay longer on the Philippines by developing new products that would meet their needs," added Bengzon.