Data on CamSur as top tourism spot flawed

CEBU, Philippines - It is wrong to say that Camarines Sur has overtaken Cebu in terms of tourist arrivals, said a Manila-based travel agent.

Consul Robert Lim Joseph, the chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, made this statement following reports that Camarines Sur is now the top tourism destination in the Philippines.

“People should not talk about it that way, we look at it differently,” said Joseph as the weekly 888 News Forum at Marco Polo Plaza yesterday.

Joseph pointed out that Cebu has more international flights, has an international airport and has five-star hotels and resorts.

What was counted in Camarines Sur was domestic traffic, said Joseph.

“Ours is actually receipts coming from by air and sea, we do not add the buses,” he said.

Joseph said that Cebu, being a big province, could have more if those who came by buses from other provinces were also counted.

The report prompted Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to seriously think of a more aggressive advertising campaign to sell Cebu.

But Joseph said regardless of the need for more publicity, the government should allocate funds for infrastructure to promote tourism.

Joseph said that they in the tourism industry want to have good roads, ample water and power as well as orderliness.

“And it’s about time that we come and advertise Cebu internationally,” he said.

He pointed out that other countries like Thailand, Indonesia and South Korea advertise their provinces.

“Korea is even promoting the airport when there is nothing there,” he said.

“But this is a way because they have nothing they want to advertise so that people will come, foreign investment and local investors can come in,” he added.

Garcia earlier announced that the tourism campaign advertisement of the Province of Cebu will be released by August this year.

She said the advertisement will not only target tourists but also investors. — (FREEMAN)