Metro Manila eyed as alternative tourist hub

MANILA, Philippines — The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) is eyeing Metro Manila as a hub for tourists while Boracay is closed, an official said yesterday.

TPB officer-in-charge Maricon Ebron told The STAR that even before Boracay’s closure was officially announced, they met with various groups to find alternative destinations.

“So we thought of Metro Manila, having all the resources, meaning services and hotels and resorts. And you know Metro Manila is surrounded by other destinations,” she said.

The Department of Tourism has promoted other beach destinations in the country such as Palawan, Siargao and Cebu but Ebron said these areas may already be packed with tourists.

She said they are test-piloting Manila as a hub for tourists who will go to “Bataan, Tagaytay, Batangas, Cavite and a lot more.”

“You’ll be surprised that are so many destinations that are really not given the right promotion since we are always looking at the popular ones,” Ebron said.

Ebron said the TPB is still inspecting these possible alternative destinations outside Metro Manila. The TPB will bring travel agencies to visit these sites in order for them to come up with tour packages for these attractions.

“I think it’s also about time also because Manila, which has all the rooms, with all the growing hotels and resorts here, we also need to have promotions for Manila and its environs,” Ebron said.