Tour inquiries from APEC delegates start pouring in

CEBU, Philippines – Cebu tour operators have started to get inquiries and bookings from APEC delegates who want to bring their families to Cebu.

Alice Queblatin, past president of Cebu Association of Tour Operators (CATO) said that most inquiries are on island hopping, soft adventures, and when is best time to visit Cebu with families.

Waterfalls, whale-watching, trekking, beach/water activities and other leisure are the top in demand activities, said Queblatin adding that Cebu has definitely made impact to delegates as a destination.

Queblatin's observation affirmed earlier pronouncements made by Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu general manager Nishan Silva saying Cebu is now part of the priority vacation destination lists of some APEC Summit 2015 delegates, as some of them have expressed interest to bring their families and friends to Cebu for leisure travel, during their brief business-related stay in Cebu.

Silva made this pronouncement when asked if Cebu was able to impress the foreign delegates in terms of tourism.

Radisson Blu, which served as the hub hotel of the recently concluded APEC Third Senior Officials Meeting (SOM3), said that aside from the superb service and warm hospitality vibes of Cebu, delegates were also intrigued of Cebu's heritage and culture.

Due to hectic schedules, most of the delegates were not able to see the "beauty" of Cebu, although there were arranged City tours and skip-trips to neighboring provinces like Bohol on weekends.

"Most of them were curious of going out and experience/explore Cebu on their own, aside from planned tours. Many of them are coming back, mostly likely with their families," said Silva.

Overall, he said what struck the delegates most, is the heart-warming hospitality of Cebuanos, the Sri Lankan general manager added.

Aside from the interesting heritage and culture of Cebu, foreign delegates also were fascinated by Cebu's food and world-class quality handicraft.

Cebu Tourism stakeholders, both government and the private sector expect to get considerable tourism mileage out of the APEC Summit 2015 hosting.

Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Rowena Montecillo said that Cebu and the rest of the Philippines expects to get considerable long term impact out of the APEC hosting this year.  (FREEMAN)