OFFICIALS from Cebu and Eastern Samar are open to partnering up in organizing a “tourism circuit” to boost marketing and development for both provinces.
This was what officials of both provinces said during the “Benchmarking Tour” organized by Eastern Samar officials in Cebu on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.
Nelson Cortes, who serves as Eastern Samar’s provincial administrator, shared during the event that he hopes Cebu can declare Eastern Samar a “sister province” especially after the airport in Borongan, the province’s capital, opened direct flights to Cebu on Dec. 19, 2022.
Marti Ybañez, Cebu Provincial Tourism head, said Cebu is willing to collaborate in developing a “tourism circuit” with Eastern Samar as long as the governors of both provinces will approve it.
A tourism circuit is a route consisting of multiple attraction sites close to one another in an effort to boost marketing and development in those locations.
Existing tourism circuits in Central Visayas include dive, motor, and culinary. Pilgrim tourism circuits are also being finalized for the religious sector.
Ybañez expressed that the province is eager to explore the famous caves and surfing spots of Eastern Samar.
The benchmarking tour, hosted by the Cebu Provincial Government, was attended by the officials of Eastern Samar led by Vice Gov. Maria Caridad Goteesan. It enabled Cebu Province to share its best practices, programs and policies with the officers of Eastern Samar. (Jenika Gi-An C. Nero, STC Intern)