Thursday, November 08, 2007 Cebu lures Indian tourists: DOT
CEBU could expect the influx of more Indian tourists next year as the Department of Tourism (DOT) has began streamlining visa requirements of Indian guests.
DOT Undersecretary for tourism planning and promotions Eduardo Jarque Jr. said tourism stakeholders acknowledged the strong potential of the Indian tourism market, thus, easing out rules for their visa processing will help boost tourist arrivals to the country.
He said Indian tourists are growing in numbers and have considered Cebu as their primary destination for business and leisure.
DOT 7 data revealed that the arrival of Indian nationals—including tourists from other South Asian countries—have totaled 1,979 from January to July this year. The figures indicate a 53.65 percent jump compared with the 1,288 arrivals in the same period last year.
Top markets<
In the first seven months of this year, Central Visayas’ top 10 markets include Korea, Japan, the United States of America, Hong Kong, Australia, China, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Singapore and Canada.
“Indians coming to Cebu are increasing significantly. They are leisure travelers. They come here to shop,” Jarque said.
Apart from the well-known beach destinations in Cebu, he said Indians, especially the men, are attracted to the local nightlife establishments, like restobars.
On the other hand, Indian women “love to pamper themselves” by frequenting spa salons and malls, Jarque added.
Earlier, Cebu City Marriott Hotel general manager Roy Abraham said the growth of the middle-income market of India has allowed its citizens to travel and seek opportunities abroad.
“There is now an emergence of Indian businessmen in the Philippines and in Cebu,” he said, adding that the hotel has observed an increase of its Indian guests.
“Cebu meets the necessary requirements in attracting a larger pool of Indian travelers” may it be for business or leisure purposes, he added.
Travel missions
He is optimistic that reducing visa requirements for Indians—a similar initiative provided by the DOT to Chinese tourists—will result in an increase of the awareness of the Indian market about the Philippines, spur direct flights to and from India, and growth in Indian visitor arrivals.
DOT 7 Director Patria Aurora Roa said tourism stakeholders have also conducted a series of travel missions to India, promoting Central Visayas as a tourism gateway to the Philippines.
“There is a growing number of rich Indians who can afford to travel around the world. We have to tap this huge and growing market,” Roa said in an interview. (MMM)
