TOURISM stakeholders have highlighted Cebu’s sustained tourism appeal, citing new tourist-draw spots in the province.
The industry’s goal is to make Cebu an all-year-round destination, said Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu president Carlo Suarez.
“Our ultimate goal for the island of Cebu is to be an all-year-round destination, not only seasonal,” Suarez told SunStar Cebu Tuesday, Aug. 27, 2019.
Cebu Ocean Park has recently opened as a new tourist destination in the province, joining other tourist-draw activities such as Cebu Safari and Adventure Park in Carmen town in the north and watching in Oslob town in the south.
“With all the tourist activities going on in Cebu such as the Safari in the north, whale sharks and waterfalls in the south, and more hotels rising, the new ocean park and even more festive street dancing, I must say we are ready for them,” Suarez said of the continued influx of travelers to Cebu.
Cebu’s tourism boom has continued to prevail amid grappling with traffic congestion and infrastructure woes.
While prospects for the industry have remained bullish, Department of Tourism 7 Director Shahlimar Tamano saw the need for the tourism community to upgrade amid Cebu’s rising standing in the industry.
Moving forward, Tamano pointed out the need for the industry to be more inclusive and sustainable to ensure future growth.
Cebu, being the tourism hub in Central Visayas, must work to ensure it sustains its brand of hospitality, and innovate and develop new products to continually draw tourists.
Cebu was recently recognized as Asia’s 7th best island in The World’s Best Awards 2019 of New York-based magazine Travel + Leisure.
Two other islands in the country also made it to the Top 10 list—Boracay Island (9th) and Palawan (2nd), which also ranked second in the Top 15 World’s Best Islands.
In the annual World’s Best Awards survey, Travel + Leisure asks its readers to weigh in on travel experiences around the globe—to share their opinions on the top cities, islands, cruise ships, spas, airlines and more.
Readers rate islands according to their activities and sights, natural attractions and beaches, food, friendliness and overall value. (CSL)