IT WILL be a busy year for Cebu’s tour operators and tour guides as they anticipate strong bookings this year.
Upcoming big-ticket events and tourism trade shows, as well as the reported high occupancy in hotels, will make tour operators and tour guides a bit occupied this year, said Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (Catos) president Alice Queblatin.
“We are always bullish on Cebu as a destination... the momentum of growth just can’t be ignored,” she said.
Catos’ optimism of a busy year stemmed from the big-ticket events and tourism trade, which are already confirmed, and the resort and city hotels impressive high occupancy level since last year.
“Continuous inquiries from other strong markets are keeping Cebu’s tourism alive,” she said.
Among the confirmed big meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (Mice) activities that will be held in Cebu are the Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Annual Summit 2019, Routes Asia 2019 and Capa LCC Summit 2019.
National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) 7 Director Efren Carreon said the country’s hosting of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games will also trigger high tourist arrivals. Cebu, he said, will stand to benefit from this multi-sport event, as it will showcase the top destinations in its marketing campaigns.
But before these Mice events kick off, Queblatin said the group is already gearing up for the Sinulog Festival this month and the Chinese New Year celebration in February.
She said bookings spike as balikbayans return for the Sinulog and treat their families to countryside tours. They also expect chartered flights from China in time for the Chinese New Year.
The week-long Sinulog 2019 celebration will kick off this week. Chinese New Year falls on Feb. 5. However, its preparations will start on Jan. 28.
Earlier, tourism stakeholders said they foresaw a more vibrant year for Cebu’s tourism industry, as more foreign guests were expected to continue visiting the province.
Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 Director Shahlimar Tamano said the increased flights from China and Korea, among others, was a good indication that tourism would be a major boost to Cebu’s economy.
Starting Jan. 22, China Southern Airlines will connect Cebu to Guangzhou, China three times a week.
Tamano also expects a huge increase in domestic travel to Cebu, especially with the completion of the upgraded Terminal 1 of the Mactan-Cebu International Airport this year.
But despite these opportunities, Queblatin said there are also challenges that lie ahead that stakeholders have to prepare for.
She cited Cebu’s safety and security image in this election year as a real concern that needs serious attention.
The group also sees the need to beef up the competitiveness of Cebu vis-a-vis other aggressive Southeast Asian destinations, and the enhancement and repackaging of tourism activities.
“It’s a promising year. We look forward to sustaining arrivals and movements the rest of the month and further...” she said.