Lapu-Lapu's tourism campaign paying off

CEBU, Philippines - Lapu-Lapu City’s “Island Experience” campaign, in partnership with the business and private sectors, has come to fruition, Mayor Paz Radaza said.

“Let me thank everyone for choosing Lapu-Lapu City as the dive site of the ‘First Asian Underwater Federation Photography Championship.’ It is indeed another feather on our cap to host this first event, Radaza said, as she welcomed the partici-pants.

This will definitely give us a boost in promoting Lapu-Lapu City as it continues to carve its own distinct name in the international tourism market, she said.

According to Mayor Radaza, the “Island Experience” campaign, which was launched last year, started the transformation of Lapu-Lapu City into something tangible for the whole constituency to appre-ciate and encourage them to participate on governance based on a tourism platform.

Radaza said the city needs more than this to achieve its vision and it cannot compete as a mere island destination because many other island destinations make the same claim.

“We cannot compete with white sand beaches alone or having world class hotels and resorts because everybody is trying to have the same amenities too,” Radaza said.

“The key in staying ahead of the game is our partnership with the private sector and organizations like yours to help us to realize our vision for this resort city.”

Radaza said tourism is the bread and butter of the city.

She said it is the major economic driver of the city.

Under a tourism platform of governance, she hopes to emulate the five-star quality service the tourism industry is known for.

“It is the vision of this administration to inculcate the culture of service and the culture of tourism in our constituency,” she said. - THE FREEMAN