Lapu-Lapu downplays impact of US advisory

CEBU, Philippines - A Lapu-Lapu City official has downplayed the possibility of fewer tourist arrivals amid a United States advisory on travel risks associated with “increased” terror activities.

City Tourism Officer Hembler Mendoza told The FREEMAN the advisory won’t affect the local tourism industry since the US is not a primary tourist market of Lapu-Lapu.

Instead, he said the city mainly relies on the Korean and Japanese markets.

“As far as statistics from the Department of Tourism are concerned, the US is No. 3 provider of tourists in Cebu. Koreans and Japanese are one first and second places, respectively. I believe that such advisory doesn’t really have a very big impact on the tourism sector of Lapu-Lapu,” Mendoza said.

Based on DOT-7 records this year, Koreans have accounted for almost half of Cebu’s foreign tourist market share at 45.5 percent. It is followed by Japan with 17.68 percent and USA with 10.2 percent.

Some 4.57 percent of tourist arrivals are from China; 3.82 percent from Australia and 2.6 percent from Canada.

But while the city is keeping an optimistic outlook on the issue, Mendoza said they also would not want the security of tourists compromised.

“We don’t have to be complacent though. It is not just our authorities who will keep an eye on our security. We ought to be vigilant as well, having an orderly and peaceful city is everyone’s concern,” he said.

Tourism leaders have earlier expressed concern for a possible drop of tourist arrivals in the Philippines following the alerts from US State Department after the Paris attacks.

The US has advised its citizens to “exercise vigilance when they are in public places or using transportation.”

 The advisory also said that tourists should also avoid large crowds or crowded areas and exercise caution during holiday season or festivals.

Here in Cebu where tourism plays a major role in economic growth, businessman Jay Aldeguer says the alert may have the potential to “create tension” in the travel industry.

“The incident in Paris alone was enough to threaten travelers, to leave home," he said.

Aldeguer said it helps that the recently concluded Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit was carried out successfully and peacefully. 

Julie Najar, president of the Hotel, Resorts, and Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC), said the effect of terrorism on tourism depends largely on the resiliency of a destination.

"Does it change the views of tourism? At first (hand) I guess, but that is where the resiliency of the people and the quick response of the local government count. Look at Thailand that keeps getting up on its feet regardless of natural calamities or acts of terrorism," Najar said.

Cebu Business Club  President Gordon Alan Joseph said it is important that the Philippines or Cebu in particular would ensure that it is in control.

"They will keep on coming but we do need to show them and the world that we are in control of our security," Joseph said. (FREEMAN)