TO MAKE the younger generation appreciate the beauty of history, the Cebu City Tourism Board will bank on the development of various tour routes and reinvigorate existing ones.
Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) chairperson Joy Pesquera said they plan to work on the structures in Cebu that mirror the city’s vibrant and rich culture.
“We hope that the next generation will adopt it as we have plenty in store for the city of Cebu. We will develop more tour routes like the heritage walk,” Pesquera said.
She said they will enhance the Spanish era structures and will come up with the American era as well as the Chinatown.
A pilgrimage tour will also be introduced, establishing Cebu as the cradle of Christianity in the Philippines.
Aside from the urban tour routes, the former Cebu City councilor said they will also develop rural tourism assets like farms and falls.
“We are developing our highland blooms that will promote not only our eco-farms but also the natural spots like falls and caves,” she said.
A highland heritage tour is also in the works.
Pesquera said the budget of the property will depend on whether it is public or private.
“If it is a private property, the private owner will shoulder the cost,” she said.
On Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2020, four days before the Sinulog Festival, the CCTC launched the “Celebrate Cebu” tourism branding to promote Cebu’s tourism jewels.
““We will never be mistaken with this theme ‘Celebrate Cebu’ because there is so much reason for us to celebrate Cebu,” Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella said during the brand’s unveiling.
Unesco badge
In November 2019, Cebu City celebrated its inclusion in the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization Network of Creative Cities.
The Department of Tourism said this international recognition in the Design Category affirms the wellspring of creative talents manifested in the furniture, fashion accessories and other sectors, the latest of which is in the global transportation hub sector, evident in the first resort airport in the world—the Mactan–Cebu International Airport.
500th year celebration
On March 16, 2021, Cebu City will commemorate the 500th anniversary of Christianity in the country and the circumnavigation of the globe by Ferdinand Magellan’s expedition.
Cebu is said to be the first Spanish settlement in the Philippines, where Magellan planted a wooden cross upon his arrival, marking the arrival of the Roman Catholic faith in the country. ( WITH KOC )