Cebu City launches staycation campaign to jumpstart tourism

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City government, through the Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC), is mounting extensive tourism-related activities to help the industry recover faster than expected.

CCTC officially unveiled the “Stay Cebu, Celebrate Cebu” campaign to jumpstart the extensive tourism programs and events that will be initiated by the city government in the next two years.

“The campaign is about staycation. Families have been staying at home for more than six months and we want them to go out and stay in a safe environment,” said CCTC chairperson Councilor Jocelyn Pesquera.

She said the initiative is also meant to help the ailing hospitality industry to survive in these challenging times.

“Hopefully with this, we can start to revive the tourism industry,” she added.

Pesquera said the campaign will foster a collaboration atmosphere with the tourism stakeholders, particularly in the hospitality industry to promote domestic tourism to balance the collapse of foreign arrivals in Cebu.

So far, there are eight hotels joining the campaign offering up to 75 percent discount on room rates.

Cebuanos can purchase these vouchers from Dec. 15 to 19, 2020 at their booths inside the Ayala Center Cebu. These vouchers are valid for use until Dec. 31, 2021.

Budget carrier Air Asia is also participating in the event, promoting Cebu as a destination for local travels.

The “Stay Cebu, Celebrate Cebu,” also marks the start of promoting the upcoming Sinulog Festival 2021.