Gwen to meet mayors to tackle tourists’ complaints vs. resorts

Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia will meet with mayors of various towns and cities to discuss the complaints of some tourists against some resorts operating in the province.

Garcia, who was still in Europe, is expected to implement the guidelines that will set the standard for resorts within the island territory.   

The guidelines will be among the topics that will be included in the next meeting of the Provincial Development Council.

Under the guidelines, the renewal of business permits will no longer be approved if a resort fails to get a “seal of approval” from the provincial government.

Garcia had moved for the issuance of “seal of approval” for tourism facilities such as beach resorts.

The idea was to put in place regulations for small facilities that are not accredited by the Department of Tourism.

The system monitors not only the basic services delivered in a tourism facility, but also on whether these are being run by courteous and professional staff.

The Capitol has created a committee that monitors and evaluates the establishments.

Garcia had seen the program as an important step to take as the country embarks on a more aggressive effort to lure tourists.

The standard of excellence for resorts in towns is also vital to effort to lure visitors to Cebu under the Capitol-initiated Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.

The tourism program takes visitors to remote areas: Bantayan Island for the northern tour, Santander for the southern trail and Pilar Island for the Camotes package.

On June 12 and 13, Suroy-Suroy will shift to the Aloguinsan-Tuburan areas for the first ever tour of Cebu’s mid-west. — Mitchelle P. Palaubsanon/LPM