Friday, October 12, 2007 Tourism needs fresh ideas
AN official from the Department of Tourism (DOT) called on Central Visayas tourism stakeholders to “adopt new ideas and concepts” in promoting the region as the gateway destination for the Philippines.
“Challenge yourself to improve and meet the growing demands of the present travelers. We can’t just promote and promote and not have something new to offer every now and then,” said Tourism Undersecretary for Planning and Promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr.
Jarque represented Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano in the 11th Annual Central Visayas Regional Assembly of Tourism Councils held yesterday at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
He said tourism stakeholders in the region should pay attention to getting needed investments to improve roads and ports, construction of more rooms and retail businesses, and facilitating additional flight frequencies.
Activities
He added that stakeholders should also consider additional activities for tourists to choose from like festivals, arts and culture, shopping, bargains, and nightlife, among others.
He cited the case of Manila where the number of visitors from Hong Kong declined in the past due to lack of new activities or destination offerings.
Recognizing the need to innovate, Manila has now started to find its niche as a shopping and convention capital of the country.
Taking cue from the Manila-experience, Jarque advised stakeholders “never to be complacent” and “not to settle at just being good but strive to be better, if not the best.”
He urged stakeholders to “go beyond” increasing tourist arrivals and instead do their part in helping retain more visitors, by offering diverse yet complementary attractions.
Mariant Villegas, Regional Tourism Council 7 chairperson, said that while each of the four provinces in the region “has a supermarket of various attractions,” the need to draw two to three “bait” destinations will help improve visitor retention in the region.
Eco-tourism
Bohol, for instance, has identified itself as an eco-tourism destination with the famous Chocolate Hills and the Loboc River cruise as main tourism appeal.
On the other hand, Oriental Negros identified dolphin watching and caving as main tourism activities for the leisure market.
Villegas said divers, which she described as an “altogether different market,” are shared equally among the four provinces.
Intensifying its promotional techniques to help spur the tourism industry in Central Visayas, the tourism council produced a three-minute jingle that is aired by different radio stations. The project is implemented in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Broadcasters ng Pilipinas.
Villegas said the council will propose two Central Visayas tour packages—an 8-day, 7-night package and a 6-day, 5-night visit.
Apart from visiting natural and man-made destinations, the longer travel time also allows interaction among locals and foreign visitors, she said.
Villegas also mentioned the possibility of a cruise trip to different provinces in the region. (MMM)
