CCCI launches eco-tour packages

CEBU, Philippines - In its effort to sustain Cebu’s tourism advantage, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) has introduced another program that will give boost to the existing tourism attraction in the province, called “ The Eco Tourism and Heritage Program.”

This particular program, which is also supported by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Cebu City government and the Provincial Government of Cebu, will highlight the ecology attractions in Cebu, established by environment-friendly businessmen and entrepreneurs.

Led by CCCI Tourism Committee chairperson Milagros Espina, “The Eco Tourism and Heritage Program” will create another option of choices of tourists, aside from the existing destinations sold by travel operators.

Initially, the program has set four “menus” for tourists to choose from; these are the eco-tourism trails to House Close to Nature and High Land Hide-away (Eco-Tour 1); A tour to the Adventure Café (in Ga-as Balamban) and Leyson’s Nature’s Peak in Busay (Eco-Tour 2); and a package going to Cebu Wetland Resort; Talisay’s Lechon, and Crocolandia and Cebu Zoo (Eco-Tour 3); and a special eco-cultural tour to Aloguinsan, Cebu.

CCCI, together with private and government agency supporters rolled out at least 10 thousand pieces of brochures on this program, to heighten awareness of Cebu’s new attract on eco-tourism, which attractions are also helping some constituents in the destination’s locality providing jobs and improve daily income.

This is the first full-pledged initiative in Cebu to properly highlight the different eco-tourism destinations in the province.

“This is to give tourists another option in their Cebu experience,” said Espina during the program’s formal launching held at the Diamond Suite Hotel Thursday.

According to Espina, these four eco-tours identified, are just the initial series of the many options that will be introduced by the Chamber in the next few months, including already the establishment of Hop-On-Hop-Off facility in Cebu, and a regular night-cruise in Mactan Channel.

“We need to give tourists wide options while they are in Cebu. We are now exploring the not fully-explored places that offer eco and heritage advantages,” said Espina.

This program is also supported by major tourism stakeholder groups in Cebu, like the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas-Cebu), Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO), Cebu Tour and Travel Association (CTTA), Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau (CVCB), Hotel, Resort, Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), and others.

“We [CCCI] are only the advocator, initiator of the stakeholders. This is our way for contributing to Cebu’s tourism sector, of which it is also one of the three advocacy thrusts of the chamber,” Espina added.

Although, the Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbo, a countryside tourism program of the Province of Cebu, is largely promoting the eco-tourism component of urban-destination Cebu. This new program, on the other hand, highlights the established developments and business initiatives that offer ecological products and services, including heritage and adventure within identified areas in the province.

The Philippines has started to capitalize on its eco-tourism advantage to draw more foreign tourists. Successful destinations such as Palawan, Bohol, Bicol among others are now capitalizing on eco-tourism products, incorporated with adventure tourism packages to add more excitement in the Philippines, as a preferred tourism site for foreign travelers.