Tour operators beefing up eco-tourism offers

CEBU, Philippines — Travel and tour operators in Cebu are beefing up their packages for eco-tourism destinations in Cebu and other provinces in the region, to satisfy the demand from both local and foreign tourists.

According to Cebu Alliance of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) president Alice Queblatin, tour specialists are now making their own attractive packages to showcase the various eco-tourism destinations, especially within the Cebu province.

“There are a lot of undiscovered eco-tourism spots from south to north in Cebu,” said Queblatin.

The EcoTourism Journey will be the highlight of this year’s refreshed Cebu attraction, alongside with new facilities being introduced such as the Cebu Safari, Snow World, among others.

According to Department of Tourism (DOT-7) Chinese tourists are among the growing tourists who are more interested in eco-tourism kind of sight-seeing and adventure.

Outside of Cebu province, the laid-back and rich in eco-tourism attractions in Negros Oriental captivated the interest of Chinese tourists.

Chinese tourists are now the second largest foreign national market for the region, closely catching up with Koreans.

They usually travel with their families. The modern Chinese travelers are more interested in adventure in a rural setting.

 The region's top 10 eco-tourism sites include; Camotes island, Bantayan Island and Wildlife Area, Central Cebu Protected Area, Guadalupe Mainit-Mabugnaw Spring in CarCar-Cebu, Chocolate Hills, Rajah Sikatuna Protective Landscape in Bohol, Twin Lakes Balinsasayao in Negros Oriental, Apo Island, Lobok-Mabini-Anda corridor in Bohol, and Olango Island Santuary.

Regionwide, DOT and DENR have identified over 20 eco-tourism sites.

The concept of eco tourism, based on the UNWTO, is heavily focused on involving the community in the development of tourism, promoting eco-tourism more than a product, but more on supporting the local economy and generate income and open up job opportunities.