Although Filipinos, especially the Catholics, will be in full observance of the Holy Week, specifically today and on Good Friday, he said the movement of people heading for the beaches will start on Saturday until Monday.
A popular beach destination in Cebu is Bantayan Island, while in neighboring provinces, people troop to Panglao Island in Bohol, Boracay, Sumilon Island in Oriental Negros, Alburo said.
In a separate interview, Mar Yan Rosales, Lite Shipping Corp. marketing officer, said Bohol is a frequently visited group tour destination since it is only two hours away from Cebu.
Accommodations
For those who want to find a much cooler place to escape the heat of the summer, Baguio, also known as the summer capital of the Philippines, is a favorite among Filipinos, Alburo said.
“For Baguio and Boracay, you will need a miracle to book your accommodations there this week,” he added.
On the other hand, Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok, Thailand are among the commonly visited countries of Filipinos, who are willing to splurge their money to shop.
“When they go out of the country, they usually leave in the early part of the week,” Alburo said.
Spending
He added that the movement of people, at this time of the week, will be good for the Philippine tourism industry.
“When people go out, they spend money. And spending, even in small amounts, is good for the economy,” he told Sun.Star Cebu in a phone interview yesterday.
However, he said the Filipino’s “psyche” is more on preparing a bigger budget for food and accommodation, rather than purchasing souvenir items.
Meanwhile, Alburo advised Filipinos to set aside a time for prayer in observance of the Holy Week before going out for leisure activities.
“Set aside today and Friday for the Lord, it’s good for the soul. On Saturday until Monday, go out and have fun. It’s good for the body,” he added. (MMM)
