MCIA eyes more tourists following int’l awards

WITH the recent international recognition of Cebu and its nearby islands as this year’s Best Island in Asia by Condé Nast travel magazine, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) hopes this would translate to an increase in travel activity once borders open.

This, as the airport continues to reel from the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“Eventually, we will go back to where we were before. There’s always good news on the horizon. Cebu has been awarded by the Condé Nast travel magazine in the midst of all of this,” said Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, chief executive advisor at the GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp., the private operator of the MCIA.

Harrison disclosed that the airport is operating at only about three percent of previous levels while airline tenants are operating at 15 percent.

Harrison said efforts should be undertaken to aid the recovery of Cebu’s economic drivers, especially tourism.

“It isn’t just about tourism but the economic livelihood of families who have basic needs that cannot be met with the current crisis,” he said.

Harrison said the upcoming Balik Turismo travel fair on Oct. 17 is a welcome development and that this should entice the public to travel once again.

“Initiatives like these can help us get back to where we are. We need to find the mainstay of Cebu which is tourism and we need to find solutions. We will play our parts to support the national and local governments to help us go back to our rightful place at the top of the tourism sector,” he said.

Cebu bested other favorites like Phuket, Thailand and Bali, Indonesia in the recent Best Island in Asia top 10 list.

Central Visayas’ diving spots in Moalboal, Cebu and Bohol also took the international spotlight as the Philippines was named the Best Overseas Diving Area in the Marine Diving Awards 2020 in Tokyo. (JOB)

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph