Organizers to boost city’s tourism: “Bisita sa Parian” showcases old Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - With the abundance of Cebu’s beautiful attractions, the Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) strives to boost the city’s tourism industry by proposing more projects that will enhance the historical structures as well as the experience of tourists and locals.

In line with the celebration of the tourism month, CCTC launched its very first Bisita sa Parian last Friday night as part of the Lakbay Lingaw, Cebu’s holistic tourism campaign.

Bisita sa Parian is a one-night visit to the historical barangay that was once the center of society and culture of old Cebu, featuring ancestral homes, museums, the Cebu Heritage Monument, historical mimes, and a food fest of Cebuano delicacies.

Some of the activities included a Kalesa ride around the barangay while witnessing the performances of the Sandiego dancers, the Eskrima group’s exhibition of Cebu’s own martial arts and the classic Cebuano songs performed by Children’s Joy Foundation Rondalla.

The tourists also went museum-hopping around the oldest houses in the city and at The Jesuit House, considered as the oldest ‘bahay na bato’ in the country which was the residence of Jesuits until their expulsion from the country in 1768.

Tetta Baad, CCTC’s chairperson, said this is just the beginning of promoting tourism in the city.

“This will serve like a sampler of what’s yet to be doable in this point so that people will know we intend to do this on a yearly basis,” she said, thanking the city government for providing them P13-million budget for the enhancement and digital marketing of their projects.

“We will continue developing the different structures. In addition to the core offering, we are developing the highlands because there are many wonderful attractions in the mountains aside from the farms located in Busay to Balamban. With very careful planning, we will propose legislations to regulate the kind of development up there to make sure the natural environment remains the same and we will not bring up urban development out there with high rises and other things that will cause pollution,” Baad further said.

Aside from enhancing tourist attractions, CCTC also aims to provide the tourists and locals a great experience.

“We still have to be competitive; we still have to attract people through providing them an exceptional experience during their stay here in Cebu. What makes a destination compelling is the experience, that’s why we strive to establish a connection not just with the tourists but also with the locals,” Baad said. — Charlyne J. Calisang, USJ-R Intern/NSA (FREEMAN)