THE Cebu Provincial Government announced on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025, that day trips or walk-in visits to popular tourist destinations in southern Cebu would not be allowed starting in March.
However, barely two hours after the announcement was posted on the Capitol’s Facebook (FB) page, the post was taken down without an updated post about the earlier announcement.
The post met with mixed reactions from netizens, most of whom disagreed with the Capitol’s decision. There has been no update on the new policy on the Capitol’s FB page as of press time.
It is not yet certain whether the Capitol will proceed with the policy.
The Capitol’s announcement said the Province will begin implementing an online booking system for tourism activities effective in March. This new tourism policy will soon be covered by an ordinance that the Provincial Board will approve.
The new policy was reached in a meeting on Thursday by members of the Cebu Association of Tour Operators Specialists.
According to the deleted FB post, the Capitol will be banning walk-ins and day trips to tourist spots in the towns of Moalboal, Badian, Alegria and Oslob, all known as top tourist destinations in southern Cebu.
“Tourists will have to book at the Capitol’s tourism online portal to avail themselves of the activities and explore additional itinerary options included in the packages, including whale shark watching in Oslob, canyoneering adventures in Alegria and Badian, as well as diving and sardine runs in Moalboal, among many others,” a portion of the post read.
The online portal aims to streamline tourism activities by providing pre-arranged itineraries for activities in towns in southern Cebu, where most tourist destinations are located.
The Capitol Public Information Office posted a video report on Tuesday, Feb. 4, of Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, Badian Mayor Carmencita Lumain, Provincial Tourism Officer Marti Ibanez and tourism officers from Moalboal, Badian and Oslob.
“We should be able to present the complete package, where the activity itself is foreseen and all unforeseen circumstances are addressed, trying to plug all loopholes, keep it going, and even enhance it every time,” Garcia said.
The video report further said the purpose of the ordinance is to discuss a “systematic” approach to various tour packages, establishing standard and structured laws for all and to prevent excessive charges or overpriced rates.
The ordinance also aims to reduce accidents caused by rushed or short schedules and poor planning of itineraries.
“The only way to control this is by an ordinance of the Provincial Board,” Garcia said. “Sayang ang opportunity nga karun we are riding high on the wave of success; maghinay-hinay na og kairog kay tu-a a sa pikas, tu-a na sa uban.”
(It’s a waste of opportunity now that we are riding high on the wave of success; some may end up going to other destinations.)
Meanwhile, the deleted post said the new policy is “intended to help monitor tourism activities and ensure the safety of all, including tour guides.”
However, it was not clear in the post if the policy is intended for local or foreign tourists.
The Capitol said that in the system, visitors will have more time to enjoy each destination, creating a smoother experience for both tourists and local businesses.
The new policy supports the Capitol’s push for digitalization, where tourists can book resorts and restaurants online.
The plan to digitalize the tour packages and itineraries in southern Cebu is an attempt to centralize the tourism system, but it may result in higher costs for tourist packages than a do-it-yourself itinerary, where local tour guides and operators depend heavily, Jham Letigio, a local tour guide, said in a chat interview on Friday, Feb. 14.
Letigio, who has been guiding tourists for eight years, strongly opposed the new policy, saying it could severely disrupt tourism in the southwest areas where most guides rely on walk-in bookings.
“It really has a huge impact, ma’am, and it’s a hassle for both the tour guides and the tourists. Small operators and tour guides mostly rely on walk-in guests, especially in towns like Moalboal and Oslob,” Letigio said in Cebuano.
Based on his years of experience as a tour guide in Moalboal, Badian, Alegria and Oslob, Letigio said most tourists like to have the freedom to create their own itinerary, as this way they have options for their time.
“Tourists are not that well-planned when it comes to deciding what their next activities will be the following day and they prefer walk-in bookings,” he added.
He said that an online portal for booking tour packages or itineraries is difficult for small operators who rely on walk-in tourists.
Concern
Letigio said that with the new policy, he is worried that there will be less flexibility for tourists as spontaneous travelers lose the option to explore without advance planning.
Small tour businesses and independent guides rely on walk-ins. Some travelers may opt for destinations with more flexible policies, affecting tourist arrivals.
Other problems foreseen in the new policy include technical glitches or a complex system that may frustrate users, especially international tourists; centralized booking that may be pricier than negotiating with local providers; walk-in-dependent businesses like street vendors and transport operators that may see reduced income; large groups that may face scheduling difficulties due to limited availability; and regular visitors that may see the restrictions as unnecessary.
Letigio said that instead of digitalizing tourism bookings in the south, he proposed that the Capitol enhance training for tour guides and tour operators, especially safety training and proper handling of guests.
In this way, aside from the destinations and accommodations, tour guides are at the forefront of the industry, he said.
He also called on the Capitol to focus on better access to tourist spots since some roads are poorly maintained or dilapidated.
SunStar reached out to the local governments of Moalboal, Badian, Alegria and Oslob on their thoughts about the new policy; they have yet to respond as of press time. / CDF