A GROUP of tech startup entrepreneurs is helping Cebu Province boost its presence in the digital tourism economy for free.

Tech entrepreneur Michael Cubos, founder of business process management (BPM) firm 360 Performance Call Center and BPM Services, said the startup group is working on creating an app that will offer digital solutions to the local government starting off with a tourism app for Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.

“The team is currently taking photos and videos of the various tourism spots in the southern part of Cebu,” said Cubos, adding that this will be an “experiential” app as users will have an option to experience the trail using a virtual reality (VR) technology.

“Users of the app will have an immersive tour of Cebu’s rich jewels,” he said.

Cubos said using digital tools in activities like this will further entice global travelers and even locals, to join the activity. This is also an added marketing boost for the province’s tourism industry.

Cubos said the app will be launched a week before the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, a three-day activity happening on Nov. 15 to 17, 2019.

Besides the use of VR, the app will also contain maps and QR codes of the province’s tourist spots.

Cubos noted that this is a pro-bono project by the group as their way of giving back to the community and to express their willingness to work with the government in creating various solutions in this digital driven economy.

The Cebu Provincial Government has allocated P6.6 million for the staging of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.

Assistance of P300,000 will be given to each of the 22 participating towns for their preparation.

The three-day tour is expected to earn P4 million from the payment of the participants. The Province is expecting 300 local and foreign tourists to join the activity. (KOC)