DOT works hand-in-hand with Japanese tour guides

CEBU, Philippines – The Department of Tourism (DOT-7) is working closely with the Japanese Association of Tour Guides (JATIC) to lure more Japanese tourists to make Cebu their preferred leisure and vacation destination.

JATIC is helping the tourism regional office here to encourage resorts and hotels to set up Japanese friendly amenities within their respective properties, such as bathtubs, Japanese speaking staff, among others, said DOT-7 regional director Rowena Montecillo.

This is also an offshoot of the recently concluded visit of 22 Japanese travel agents, together with representatives from DOT-Tokyo, who visited Cebu to check on the proper amenities and other offerings of Cebu to ignite more interest of the Japanese tourists.

Montecillo said the increased direct flights from Cebu to Japan fueled the interest of Japanese to re-consider Cebu as one of their top destinations, "but we have to be ready for them."

According to Montecillo, while the Japanese are known as high spender travelers, they are also meticulous in service offerings, sensitive in amenities, and demand for Japanese speaking staff, starting from the airport.

DOT-7 and JATIC through its president Akitaka Shimomura will work together in setting a right environment in Cebu to please more Japanese visitors.

Resorts and Hotels in Cebu had been reporting an encouraging growth of Japanese visitors to Cebu.

Plantation Bay Resort and Spa general manager Efren P. Belarmino reported recently that the Japanese guests increased significantly due to air travel connectivity between Cebu and cities in Japan like Narita and Osaka.

At present, Japanese nationals captured at least 40 percent of the total occupancy share  of the 255-room, Cebuano-owned property. The rest is shared with other foreign markets, and domestic guests.

Belarmino said because of the encouraging Japanese influx, Plantation Bay has to invest on some adjustments of its facilities to suit the distinct preference of the Japanese market.

Aside from altering the details of room interiors like bed size, among others, Plantation Bay has recently introduced unique programs designed solely for the emerging young professional Japanese ladies.

A complete beauty and wellness program had been carefully designed to suit the whims of the sophisticated Japanese women, said Belarmino.

A Japanese tourist spends at least US$200 a day in a destination. This could provide an earning of close to P30,000 in a three-day stay for a single tourist. (FREEMAN)