Central Visayas to surpass this year’s 4.6 million arrival target

CEBU, Philippines – Central Visayas is seen to surpass the 4.6 million arrival target set for this year, based on the encouraging performance recorded for the first nine months of this year.

Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Rowena Y. Montecillo expressed confidence that the region could easily smash the target as year-to-date arrival record already achieved 70 percent level.

In 2014, the four provinces in Central Visayas — Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental and Siquijor exceeded the 4.3 million target.

According Montecillo, the arrival target, which is set by the National Tourism Development Program (NTDP), has not included activities held within the year, like the APEC Summit and other MICE related events.

Moreover, she said the opening of more direct flights from Cebu to other countries like Japan, Taiwan, among others are factors that will help the region to over-shoot the arrival target in a little bit significant number this year.

From January to September of this year, the region logged a total arrival record of 3.17 million, a 4.56 percent improvement from the same period of 2014.

Although leisure related travels still lead the pack, Montecillo said the strengthening MICE events held in Cebu and other parts of the region boosted the arrival records for Central Visayas.

Montecillo mentioned the increasing attention of ASEAN multinational companies holding their conferences in Cebu, like the ASEAN Glass Manufacturers Conference recently held here, and other global corporate events could make the Central Visayas again, as one of the fastest growing region in terms of arrivals, among other regions in the country.

"We are catching up in MICE accounts," said Montecillo hinting a positive outlook that this is seen to take a stronger stride next year and the coming years.

Among the markets in Asia, China logged the highest growth record, with 51 percent improvement for the first nine months of this year, followed by Taiwan with 49 percent growth, and Japan with 28 percent higher than same period last year.

Korea, although it sustained its lead as the top foreign market for the region, recorded an improvement growth of 14 percent, with a total arrival volume of 507,485 thousand.

Obviously, she said Central Visayas is gaining attention from the Chinese market (China and Taiwan), closely competing with the Japanese.

Cebu seized 84 percent of the region's arrival distribution, the rest are shared by Bohol (nine percent), Negros Oriental (six percent), and Siquijor (one percent). (FREEMAN)