Millennial travelers to boost countryside tourism

CEBU, Philippines — The young generation’s knack for travel and keen interest on countryside destinations is seen to boost the tourism sectors in the remote towns.

"Luxury accommodation is not in this young generation’s radar. Their choice of destinations are those in the outskirts, countryside and undiscovered places," said Cebu Association of Travel Operations Specialists (Catos) president Alice Queblatin.

Thus, the countryside towns in Cebu province in particular are called to prepare their respective accommodation and other tourism-related facilities, as the remotest, unheard-of places are now the most in demand destination of choice by the travel-addicted millennials.

Regardless of social status and financial capacities, the thick millennial market spends for travel as if it is part of their basic necessities.

Queblatin believes that this is the right time for countryside destinations to gear up, especially in providing decent, clean, and affordable accommodation.

Strengthening the home-stay concept is also being looked at, and this is also part of the Department of Tourism (DOT-7) priority programs for the region.

In a separate interview with Joshur Judd Lanete II, he said that while the agency still has to release guidelines on the standardization of Airbnb hospitality service and the like, DOT continues to hold trainings for home-stay hosting program.

Lanete said that ongoing trainings for homestay accommodation concept are being held in Central Visayas, specifically in typhoon Yolanda-hit communities.

Already, DOT has announced that it is moving to regulate the Airbnb hospitality service, which is now gaining popularity among tourists from all over the world.

Although, closely similar with homestay concept, Airbnb is treated differently because of its online platform. Homestay is regarded as the tradition, while Airbnb is the modern counterpart. (FREEMAN)