TIEZA evaluating three Cebu tourism ecozones

CEBU, Philippines — The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) is now evaluating three big ticket tourism projects in Cebu to qualify for fiscal and non-fiscal perks from the government.

The three projects, which are located in Mactan island include the Amisa Development of Robinsons Land Inc., Emerald Resort Hotel & Casino, and the Mactan Mixed-Use Development.

TIEZA manager for evaluation and registration division Donald Maldonado said applications of these Cebu-based projects are being evaluated and may soon get the TIEZA registration or become a Tourism Economic Zone (TEZ).

A TEZ is a tract of land with defined boundaries and master planned to be developed into an integrated tourism complex with prescribed capacities to host tourism enterprise facilities and services within the property.

TIEZA registered facilities are bound to enjoy fiscal and non-fiscal incentives such as the six-year income tax holiday, five percent gross income taxation, tax and duty free importation of goods and services, capital investment and equipment, transportation equipment, lease of land to foreign nationals, employment of foreign nationals, and foreign currency transactions, among other benefits provided under the Republic Act 9593.

Officials of TIEZA were in Cebu yesterday les by Raquel Gaerlan, officer-in-charge of Tourism Enterprise Zone Management (TEZM), to conduct an Investment Forum to encourage tourism related businesses and tourism capitalists to register their facilities with the agency.

Last year, TIEZA issued the guidelines for the transfer of tourism zone developments and tourism enterprises including those registered with other Investment Promotions Agencies (IPAs) for their designation as TEZ or registration as Tourism Enterprises under the Tourism Act of 2009.

To date, TIEZA has already designated and registered a total of 14 TEZs and Tourism Enterprises.

In Cebu, one property proclaimed as TEZ so far is the Queens Castle based in Medellin, Cebu.

While, JPark Resort and Spa in Mactan still has to transfer its registration from an economic zone to a TEZ.

TIEZA top priority projects include; accommodation facilities, TEZ Integrated Development, Health and Wellness, MICE facilities, theme parks, farm tourism, retirement village, tourism training centers and institutes. (FREEMAN)