Lapu-Lapu's "Island Experience" campaign to start September 25

CEBU, Philippines – Lapu-Lapu City will launch "Island Experience!" campaign September 25.

Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Paz Radaza, city and barangay officials and representatives from the different hotel and beach resorts in Lapu-Lapu City will join the event.

The campaign is designed to attract domestic tourists in view of the slump in tourist arrivals from overseas due to the botched hostage taking in Manila.

Hotels and resorts in Lapu-Lapu City have reported massive cancellations of bookings from the Asian market especially from Hong-Kong and China.

Tourism is a major economic driver of Lapu-Lapu City, Mayor Paz Radaza said.

World-class hotels and resorts are located in the city.

"It is the government's role to be pro-active in addressing the concerns and interests of the city's stakeholders," Radaza said.

Radaza said the "Island Experience!" campaign is program initiated by government and the private sector in a bid to address the concerns of the tourism industry."

She said a strong private sector and government partnership is the key to progress and development of the city. 

Starting this week, hotels and resorts in Lapu-Lapu City will offer up to 50 percent discounts on rates. Other tourism establishments operating in Lapu-Lapu City will compliment the campaign with attractive discount packages.

Seafood restaurants, dive shops, island hopping tours, souvenir shops, as well as guitar stores will offer attractive discount packages. 

The guitar industry will be offering higher discounts for top end models, while seafood specialty restaurants will give up to 15 percent discounts.

Tour operators and travel agencies have committed to market the three-month "Island Experience!" campaign in their affiliates and branches nationwide.

The official launching campaign on Friday will be attended by Mutya ng Pilipinas 2nd runner-up Sharon Grace Angel who was recently appointed as the ambassadress of Lapu-Lapu City.

Tourism industry players expect that the Asian tourism market will rebound December this year.

The "Island Experience!" campaign started September 25 and will end December 15. (FREEMAN)