CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) is calling on the government to consider giving incentives to tourism-related businesses including tourist bus service providers and other related services.
CCCI reiterated this call after its request sent to the office of President Rodrigo Duterte remains pending as of this writing.
The chamber, which has been the prime mover in advocating industry developments in Cebu, singled out the need for some tourism sub-sectors to be given incentives, such as the operators of tourist buses.
This is being pushed as Cebu in particular needs world-class, decent transportation services that are designed to serve the growing number of tourists, said CCCI president Melanie Ng.
Likewise, these special incentives are needed to encourage capitalists to venture into more innovative tourism related and support services.
Earlier, Department of Tourism (DOT) consultant Robert L. Joseph urged entrepreneurs, particularly in Cebu and the Visayas, to invest in the lucrative hospitality sector.
Joseph referred to the need for Cebu to add more accommodation facilities.
"For those who have yet to decide where to put their money, I suggest they invest in the hospitality sector. We need to build or add more rooms for more tourists," said Joseph adding that the increase of accommodation facilities attract more visitors to come.
Meanwhile, as private sector tourism advocates are pushing for attractive incentives for businesses that serve the tourism sector, the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) already announced its active stance of encouraging local government units (LGUs) around the country to establish tourism economic zones in partnership with the private sector.
In its 2016 fourth quarter research, property consulting firm Colliers International recommends that the country needs to build more three- and four-star hotels to accommodate the rising number of tourists.
With the Philippines becoming an emerging and a viable location for major international events, Colliers also suggested that developers to apportion larger space for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibits (MICE) facilities. (FREEMAN)