Ayala Center positions itself as a 'tourist friendly' mall

Shopping and leisure mall Ayala Center Cebu (ACC) is intensifying its position as a "tourist friendly" mall through crafting new offerings to draw in more tourists to shop.

ACC is consulting the Cebu Association of Tour Guides (CAT-G) on what more it can do to satisfy every tourist, both domestic and foreign visitors, who visit the mall.

ACC, led by its marketing manager Joy Polloso, met with the members of CAT-G recently to consult its plan to offer more attractions and convenience facilities for tourists, and asked CAT-G members' suggestions how the mall could be a full-pledge tourism friendly facility.

Through the president Rafael Tura, the CAT-G members mentioned several suggestions or "wish list" how the mall could attract tourist-shoppers by putting up accessible lounge; smoking area, WiFi area for tourists or business center; proper directions or signage; mall map upon arrival of a tourist (multi-lingual); offering shops with quality fashion accessories; proper drop off and pick up area; proper waiting area; more visible toilet signage among others.

Polloso also consulted with the tourist guides the spending habit of tourists, not only the foreigners but also the domestic visitors.

Whenever there is a big group of tourists handled, upon arrival to Ayala Center, they are given a kit that will give them information on the mall's offerings, shop locations, restaurant, and other important details.

"We want to get a glimpse how foreigners or local tourists spend, their average spending, and their favorite shops," Polloso said.

Through ACC's constant consultation with CAT-G members the mall could fit in its offerings to that of the interests of tourists.

According to Polloso, the mall is improving its existing tourist related facilities and services, through the consultation of tourists guides.

The introduction of a shopping card for tourists that may give them special discounts or perks was also suggested.

ACC is capitalizing on the increasing number of tourists to Cebu, it has been positioning the mall to be more "tourists friendly". In fact, signage have been placed inside and outside the mall written in Chinese, to cater the Chinese-speaking tourists.

Aside from the foreign visitors, Tura said there are also an increasing number of domestic tourists, especially the "educational trips" groups. He said ACC is also offering perks for this kind of visitors.

Despite the economic difficulties in the country, the retail industry in the Cebu has remained upbeat because of the province's position as the tourism center in the Philippines.

Shopping is the next thing that a tourist will engaged in, in a destination, this already includes food, pasalubong items, among others.

Polloso said although ACC had already been addressing the need of tourists in the mall, but there is still a need for ACC to intensify its effort in order to draw in more tourists to shop at ACC.