CEBU, Philippines — Cebu, having a modern airport set to officially operate on July 1, is projected to become a key driver in the country's tourism future.
And Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat is positive about this.
She said she pins her hopes on Cebu’s potential as a tourist drawer as the country looks to hit 12 million inbound tourists by 2022.
"Our national targets of 12 million inbound visitors and 89.2 million domestic travelers in 2022 are now within closer reach as we move to upgrade gateways, develop more destination, and uphold international tourism standards,” Puyat said in her visit in Cebu last week during the inauguration of Mactan-Cebu International Airport Terminal 2.
Cebu is continuously promoted as an alternative international gateway to the Philippines, given its strategic geographical location and proximity to tourist destinations in southern Philippines.
The tourism chief said Cebu plays a strategic role in the country's tourism development efforts.
Under the 2018-2022 National Tourism Development Plan, Cebu is recognized as a top destination and valuable international gateway, said Puyat.
The official also cited the timely hosting of Cebu of the 2019 Routes Asia which brings together leading airlines, airports and tourism authorities to discuss air services to, from and within the entire Asia Pacific region.
Routes, organizer of world-renowned airline and airport events, had officially announced Cebu’s hosting of Routes Asia 2019 which is taking place on March 10-12 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.
This will be the second time the Department of Tourism brings Routes Asia to the Philippines after successfully hosting the 2016 event in Manila.
"Hosting will strengthen Cebu’s connectivity and positioning as a gateway to the rest of the Philippines as well as a major transfer hub to other countries," Routes had said in a statement.
Srinivas Bommidala, board chairman of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp, MCIA's operator, noted that Cebu airport is poised to be a major driver of the region’s economic growth being the country’s second biggest airport and gateway to southern Philippines.
“We are optimistic about the Philippines’ growth story, specifically in aviation, and look forward to contributing further to its ongoing Build, Build, Build, program,” he said.
In the first three months of 2018, MCIA handled 2.7 million passengers, with domestic passengers representing 65 percent and international passengers at 35 percent.
Air traffic volume increased by 21 percent, with a 15 percent and 22 percent growth in international and domestic traffic, respectively.
The over-all increase in passenger traffic was brought about by new airlines and routes in both international and domestic sectors. (FREEMAN)