Cebu coaxed to take the lead

CEBU, Philippines — As the Department of Tourism (DOT) recognized Cebu’s lead in tourism, the agency is calling stakeholders to be at the forefront of implementing a culture of sustainable tourism.

“Cebu should lead in the quest for quality and sustainable tourism,” DOT undersecretary Arturo P. Boncato Jr., challenged Cebu’s tourism stakeholders during the recently concluded Tourism Innovation Forum.

Boncato appealed to tourism players to be one with the government’s thrust in striking balance in tourism and put sustainable operation in their respective properties and companies as one of the top priorities.

The tourism official mentioned the “Whale Watching” experience attraction in Oslob, south of Cebu, saying the limitation of visitors per day should be strictly imposed.

He reminded stakeholders of the dangers of “over-tourism” that is detrimental to the quality and sustainability of a destination like Cebu.

While it is good to see the remarkable growth of arrivals, Boncato pointed out that DOT is doing its best to avoid a number-centric tourism, but put more importance on sustainable and quality tourism.

He urged hotels, resorts and restaurants, specifically to invest on sustainable operations, such as using environment-friendly materials from proper sewage treatment plant (STP) to avoiding the use of plastics, among others.

According to Boncato, today is another opportunity for Cebu to lead the Philippines in developing its name in responsible tourism.

“Cebu is sustainable [in most part]. We’d want Cebu to be source of inspiration in tourism,” added.