CEBU, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT-7) is now working with the region’s local government units (LGUs) and private stakeholders to highlight the Al Fresco Circuit and other specialty attractions to spur further the industry’s recovery.
DOT-7 regional director Shalimar Tamano said that a circuit of Al Fresco dining, especially in Cebu, will be mapped out noting the high interest of post-pandemic consumers to prefer outdoor dining.
He mentioned the growing number of outdoor dining destinations in the high lands of Cebu, which could be a good point of preference, while identifying other outdoor dining destinations in other destinations within the region.
Initially, DOT started identifying Bohol for its niche as wedding destination and works are still ongoing to develop more specialty attractions that would conform to the new normal market preferences.
According to Tamano, the agency is now gathering the suppliers, organizers and stakeholders of wedding events to push more wedding sites initially in Bohol.
Recently, DOT secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat expressed full support on the development of Al Fresco dining circuit program in Cebu and other destinations in Central Visayas by identifying establishments that will be part of the development of Al Fresco Taste and Tour Circuits.
While expressed confidence that the ramping up of vaccination roll out in other countries signify the near recovery of international arrivals to the Philippines, she said the country is determined to revitalize its tourism industry by activating domestic travel.
“We must do all we can to bring forth recovery,” Puyat called Cebuano tourism stakeholders to work with the government closely and help establish strong confidence to travel among Filipinos.