Friday, January 11, 2008 Tourist arrivals in 2007 up 20%: DOT 7 director
FOREIGN tourist arrivals for 2007 is at least 20 percent higher than the previous year.
From January to October 2007, the increase was 19.66 percent.
Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Dawnie Roa said that once she gets the total figure for the entire year, she expects more than a 20 percent increase.
This month, DOT 7 also expects more foreign and domestic tourists for the Sinulog activities.
Roa is optimistic that Cebu hotels can accommodate the influx of tourists.
“We can accommodate so far,” Roa told reporters yesterday.
“It’s always more and more, never less and less,” said Roa of the expected tourist arrivals.
She did recommend home-staying for local tourists who have relatives in Cebu. She said that this has always been the practice of local tourists who come to Cebu as pilgrims of the Santo Niño.
The Balik-Cebu program of DOT 7 is also in place.
Tourists and balikbayans, who will grace the Sinulog activities that officially started yesterday, started arriving even as early as last month.
But the bulk of tourists is expected on the 17th.
DOT 7 will be welcoming them, particularly the balikbayans, at the Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA).
Roa said that there will be a VIP reception for them.
“There will be Sinulog dancing outside the terminal building, motif, décor, and streamers,” said Roa.
DOT 7 and Cebu Holdings Inc. will also host a dinner for the balikbayans on the 18th at the Park Tower Gardens at the Cebu Business Park.
Roa said at least 300 balikbayans have already confirmed attendance. (JGA)
