Capitol to revive tourism

CEBU, Philippines — In order to provide employment for residents in the province, the Cebu provincial government is now looking at the revival and repackaging of its tourism industry.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, in her virtual press briefing Monday, revealed that she has already met with mayors from towns in the province known for their tourism sites and activities. Among them are Oslob, Moalboal, Badian, Alegria, Camotes, the municipalities of the Bantayan Island, San Remigio, and Daanbantayan.

Garcia explained that tourism contributes so much to the province’s economy, with thousands of jobs depending on the industry. Thus, she explained that this planned revival is an economic undertaking.

“We are considering tourism not as a leisure activity, it is an economic activity. Why? Because the tourism industry translates to so many jobs for our people,” she said.

“Karon, daghan kaayo’g walay mga trabaho kay gisira man ning resorts. So, we are looking at tourism as a way to provide livelihoods to our people,” she added.

In the regular session of the Provincial Board earlier that day, it was reportedly discussed by members of the Hotel Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) that they are looking at a 75% decrease in manpower for their establishments due to the lull in tourism from movement restrictions brought by COVID-19.

In order to reconcile the need to salvage the industry while remaining cautious against the coronavirus disease, Garcia said protocols are being created to make sure that the famous tourism activities in the province adhere to physician distancing and safety and sanitation guidelines.

Mayors have already been tasked to see how these protocols would translate per tourism activity in their locality.

“We cannot say tourism is dead. We will see what we can do to revive it. Because people need jobs and the economic activity that tourism generates,’ she said.

Further, Garcia said that they are looking into incorporating practices that boost the immune system in the protocols being followed by hotels and resorts.

“We are looking at repackaging Cebu as a health and wellness destination. So, our resorts will be focused on that,” she said.

She is scheduled to meet again with the mayors and multiple stakeholders in the tourism activities in order to fortify the protocols and to determine the steps to be taken by the province.  FPL (FREEMAN)