Ironman gives sports tourism a major push

CEBU, Philippines — It's a brisk business for local tourism players on Mactan Island as Cebu sets to host again its biggest international sports tourism event, the Regent Aguila Ironman 70.3 Asia Pacific Championship, on Sunday.

Department of Tourism regional director Shalimar Tamano said the triathlon event, which is drawing around 2,700 participants from 52 different countries this year, is boosting Cebu's name in sports tourism and he wants to keep the Ironman competition in the province.

"This really gives Cebu a real image in sports tourism. We hope Cebu will continue to host this event," he said in a phone interview with The FREEMAN.

The tourism official cited that Cebu's hotels, resorts and restaurants particularly those on Mactan Island are getting a boost as participants and their companions, both local and foreign, splurge.

Tamano said while the event means a big boost to Cebu's sports tourism standing, it also means business for tourism players who will directly benefit from the participants' spending activities and the economy in general.

After the Ironman event, Cebu could also be expecting repeat visitors in the future, thus sustaining arrivals.

The sports event's race course spans in cities of Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.

Organizers had to make a change in the race course after the Cebu City government refused to close some roads for the event's bike competition.

Princess Galura, general manager of Sunrise Events, the main organizer, had said the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship in Cebu will be the most star-studded in the country.

The Ironman triathlon event in Sunday will officially open at the Shangri-La's Mactan Island Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City.

The Lapu-Lapu City government and the police have said they're beefing up security in the entire race course.

Meanwhile, Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat is among the key officials attending the international sports event.