Faith tourism ‘under-promoted’

TOUR operators in Cebu are gearing up for the quincentennial anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe.

According to Alice Queblatin, president of Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (Catos), tour operators are now going through workshops on creating interesting tour packages for faith tourism.

Religious/spiritual or faith-based tourism is travel to religious sites to experience religious forms or to learn and admire their related arts, architecture, food and other traditions.

Queblatin said faith tourism is Cebu’s other strength, on top of its widely known image as a beach destination. The product, however, remains under-promoted despite Cebu being known as “Asia’s Cradle of Christianity.” “We cannot reinvent the wheel. Cebu is marketed to the world as a beach destination. People come here because of the beach. However, there are other interesting activities aside from staying all day at our beaches and faith tourism is one of them,” said Queblatin.

She added that it is time that Cebu go big in marketing itself as a faith tourism destination because of its strong faith history that is already deeply rooted in Cebuanos’ way of life.

She believes this is also one product that could lengthen tourists’ stay in Cebu from two nights to three nights and more, as they join walking or pilgrimage tours.

Cebu will have an important role in the 500th anniversary of Ferdinand Magellan’s circumnavigation of the globe on Mar. 16, 2021.

Provincial Tourism Officer Joselito Costas, in earlier interviews, said Cebu will be the center of celebrations in Southeast Asia and that organizers have already met with Capitol officials to discuss the upcoming celebration.

He expects a surge of tourists coming to Cebu leading to the 2021 celebration.

Costas said they are working on improving the value chain of faith-based tourism in Cebu and link all the century-old churches and activities to come up with an interesting and attractive package.

“We expect more guests from European countries and Catholic countries. The celebration will also attract the history buffs,” said Costas.

Moreover, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said it is poised to go full swing on piloting emerging faith tourism destinations this year, which will highlight festivals and various Filipino traditions that will encompass a holistic pilgrimage experience.

Faith and Farm Tourism Undersecretary Marco Bautista, in a statement, said that under the new sector, there will be an “enhanced promotions of the country’s rich cultural heritage embodied in the historical, architectural and religious significance of numerous churches and age-old traditions.”

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