Cebu tourism boom pushes regional traffic up 80%

An increase of 80 percent in tourist traffic in the region last year predominated by Cebu acknowledges the province's image of being the country's favorite tourism destination.

Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Patria Aurora Roa during the 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Hotel said tourists, foreign and domestics alike continue to flock to Cebu to unwind and have a relaxing vacation. The DOT-7 is still finalizing the total figures of the number of tourist arrivals in 2006 for Central Visayas including Cebu.

With the success of the 12th Asean Summit in Cebu, the province embarks on an additional model of being promoted as an international conference site with the construction of the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), according to Roa.

Tourism Sec. Joseph "Ace" Durano has promised local officials that he will help promote Cebu as an international convention haven. True to his word, the DOT has booked the CICC for six major tourism events for this year, Roa said.

The DOT events include the 'Kalakbay Awards,' normally done either at the Malacañang Palace or the Philippine International Convention Center in Manila, Travel Exchange, Tourism Jobs Fair scheduled on March 28-31 and the Philippine Travel Mart, usually held at the Mega Mall in Ortigas, Manila.

Roa added that there are also foreign and local private organizers that have signified interest in using the CICC with some actually having made the bookings already.

The CICC, jointly owned by the Cebu Provincial Government and the Mandaue City Government, has an interim management board appointed by both local government units to draft the policies and the protocol for the use of the CICC. (PIA)