TOURISM spots in Cebu’s countryside need more rooms.

“Cebu is really blessed with natural attractions. But as more and more people come to visit our countryside tourism jewels, the destination could no longer accommodate them. They need more hotel rooms,” said CCCI tourism committee chairman Edwin Ortiz.

One destination that is in need of more accommodation facilities is the town of Moalboal.

Ortiz said that based on their discussions with Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, the town at present doesn’t need more tourists, but more rooms.

Tourists come to Moalboal because of its white sand beach. Other attractions in the area include the sardine ball, recreational diving in Pescador Island, a waterfall, caves and canyons.

Ortiz urged property developers to check out Moalboal’s tourism activities so they could help make the town’s tourism industry sustainable.

He said the chamber can be an instrument in linking potential investors to the local government.

“Collaborations and strong support between two parties remain the key to make tourism or any business venture sustainable in a town,” said Ortiz. “Both can help each other.” CCCI’s Lumba’g Laag sa Sugbo, which was part of the month-long Cebu Business Month celebration, was an interactive event that aimed to showcase undiscovered tourism sites in the south of Cebu through a race.

Participants went to 22 towns in the south and midwest of Cebu.

The need to build more rooms in the countryside must be filled soon, as Terminal 2 (T2) of the Mactan Cebu International Airport has started commercial operations.

Ortiz said with the T2 opening last Sunday, the industry anticipates arrivals to triple starting this month.

On the other hand, Ortiz, who previously served on the board of directors in DOT’s Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) for six years, said the counterpart of the LGU is to ensure safety and security as well as help improve the state of seaside properties, which are under the management of Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.

“It’s high time that we maximize our tourism potentials,” said Ortiz.

There were 2.3 million foreign tourists who visited the province of Cebu last year. Oslob logged the highest recorded foreign guests at 41,408, followed by Daanbantayan with 73,192 guests, Moalboal with 24,620 and Sta. Fe (Bantayan) with 18,429 guests, according to figures from the Department of Tourism 7.

Earlier, Colliers International Philippines, in their latest study about Cebu’s tourism boom, urged property players to build more hotel rooms to house guests who stay for at least three nights.

Cebu tallied 10,000 rooms with tourists at 4.9 million, which sustained hotel occupancy of 78 percent, higher than the 70 percent recorded in 2016.