Online booking mess drives out foreign tourists

CEBU, Philippines —  Different and confusing requirements by the cities of Mandaue and Cebu as well as in Cebu Province have driven out tourists in coming to Lapu-Lapu City and eventually losing it to other destinations in the country.

Hotel and resort managers aired this concern during their Second Stakeholders’ Monthly Meeting recently called by City Tourism, Cultural and History Affairs Commission (TCHAC) chairperson Cindi King-Chan.

In a press statement released by the city’s Public Information Office, hotel managers said that local and foreign tourists are discouraged to visit Lapu-Lapu City when they book online, as the city is lumped together with Cebu Province and the cities of Mandaue and Cebu which all have different requirements.

“All they (tourists) are asking is if they can get one requirement for all the places,” said Lissa Aines Librodo, Airline Marketing and Tourism Development head of GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation.

As a result, tourists would settle for Boracay that has only one set of requirements.

King-Chan told hotel managers that she would raise their concern to Mayor Junard "Ahong" Chan to address the matter.

She said that tourists who would like to enjoy the wonders of Lapu-Lapu City are only required to have a round trip ticket and a hotel booking in the city.

King-Chan said the city has splendid hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, resorts, white beaches, diving spots, casinos, and the pristine Olango Island, which is a 15-minute speedboat ride from the mainland.

She added that once tourists are booked in a hotel in Lapu-Lapu City, they can practically visit anywhere in Cebu City and the province without scrutiny.

“Just stay in Lapu-Lapu City and you can go anywhere here in Cebu,” she added. — GMR (FREEMAN)