Joint efforts in the works to revive Mactan tourism

CEBU, Philippines — Lapu-Lapu City and its neighboring town Cordova are mounting a joint program to help accelerate the recovery of tourism in Mactan Island.

“The Municipality of Cordova is willing to work with Lapu-Lapu to revive tourism and the local economy But we have to exert extra care in doing this so as not to put the health of our constituents at risk. We need to follow the protocols and guidelines set by the Province of Cebu through Gov. Gwen Garcia since Cordova is under the political justification of the Province,” said Cordova Mayor Mary Therese Sitoy-Cho.

Lapu-Lapu City commissioner for Tourism Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission Sunshine Lim also said both governments are now crafting programs especially in supporting tourism service providers like airlines in their efforts to increase inbound tourists to Cebu.

Through Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Ahong Chan, Lim said the city is focusing on the fast revival of tourism, with strict monitoring on health protocol.

Lapu-Lapu City’s Tourism Cultural and Historical Affairs Commission chaired by first lady Cindi Chan is also working with other tourism stakeholders to bring back tourism activities on the island amid pandemic.

Heeding the Provincial government’s push to re-open the tourism business, the municipality of Cordova announced in August this year to formally re-open its tourism activities launching series of activities to interest domestic tourists.

Cho said Cordova launched its tourism recovery plan through “Dance with the Marine Life” and “Sing with the Mangroves” tour packages, to start off the re-opening of tourism, one of the town’s economic drivers.

“These tour packages were created to spur the economy and create source of income for the people while protecting them against Covid-19 contamination,” said Cho.

Lapu-Lapu City earlier announced its plans for tourism recovery with the creation of R.I.S.E. Lapulapu to provide the proper framework in its improved action plan.

Lapu-Lapu City tourism and investment officer Edward Mendez, reported that the R.I.S.E. Lapu-Lapu program is a post Covid-19 tourism recovery plan, which aims to accelerate economic recovery in Cebu’s premier tourism front-liner.

“Lapu-Lapu City as a leading foreign tourist arrival destination in the country will have to make some adjustment to adopt the changing market condition.  With a reliable track record for years, definitely the city can hurdle this cyclical challenge,” said Mendez in a statement.