Tourism players to revive “I Love Cebu” campaign

CEBU, Philippines —  Following the improving number of vaccinated Filipinos and easing of some travel restrictions, Cebu tourism stakeholders are planning to mount another out-of-Cebu marketing blitz.

According to Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) president Alfred Reyes, the “I Love Cebu” campaign will be revived once again to entice domestic tourists to come to Cebu and avail of attractive packages.

In March this year, Cebu tourism stakeholders launched the “I Love Cebu” campaign, in a bid to bring back money in tourism.

The campaign was put together by Department of Tourism-accredited hotels, resorts, tour operators, and travel agents.

 However, the campaign was later temporarily stopped due to rising cases recorded in Metro Manila and some parts of Luzon.

According to Reyes, now that the situation is getting better, Cebu should immediately seize the moment entice domestic tourists, while Cebu’s COVID-19 infection rate is also going down.

The “I Love Cebu” campaign also includes an online platform voucher selling for participating DOT-accredited hotels, tour operators, travel agents in the whole island of Cebu.

When it was launched in March 2021, the “I Love Cebu” campaign was supported and participated by Department of Tourism (DOT), Toutism Promotions Board (TPB), HRRAC, Cebu Provincial government, Mandaue City, Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan Cebu Airport, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Alliance of Tourism Operation Specialists Inc.

Part of the offerings under the “I Love Cebu” program is the offering of hotels and resorts vouchers with “hard-to-resist” discounts and embedded leisure packages.

Supposedly, the campaign shall also involve a roadshow in June in Visayas and Mindanao, but this has yet to be finalized.

Also, part of the medium term plan, is to offer rooms and leisure travel and staycation vouchers for Christmas and Sinulog seasons.

A “Visit Cebu” campaign was also earlier announced to be launched in January 2022.