Tourism stakeholders lead sales mission to Singapore

CEBU, Philippines — The Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), and the Cebu Alliance of Tour Operation Specialists (CATOS) have led a delegation of tourism stakeholders in Cebu today, August 27, 2024, to a three-day sales mission in Singapore.

This mission aims to strengthen Cebu’s presence in the Southeast Asian market, said HRRAC president Alfred Reyes.

The event features a full-day business-to-business (B2B) session where Cebu’s top hotels, resorts, and tourism operators will meet with leading travel agents, MICE organizers, and tour wholesalers from Singapore. This session is designed to highlight Cebu’s luxury accommodations and cultural experiences, showcasing the region as a premier destination for Singaporean travelers.

“Singapore is a big potential market for Cebu. It is currently the biggest source of our arrivals from ASEAN and we hope to build it up further,” said Alfred Reyes, president of HRRAC.

According to Reyes, the three-day mission will involve interactive sessions with top-producing travel agents, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) leisure organizers, and tour wholesalers in Singapore.

The highlight of the mission will be a full-day product presentation and business-to-business (B2B) session in a vibrant travel mart atmosphere.

“Three airlines are operating no less than 21 flights a week as of today between our two cities. That speaks a lot by itself. We need to further promote our destination to the Singaporeans,” added Reyes.

CATOS president Alice Queblatin said the Cebu product of sun and sand, diving and adventure, food and shopping has always been an attraction, “based firmly on our heritage and culture.”

Likewise, “Today, we have several new products from theme parks to state-of-the-art convention facilities and an integrated entertainment resort. This opens up more markets for us and we know Singapore’s family leisure and MICE market is very strong,” she noted.

The mission aims to showcase Cebu’s diverse offerings, including its pristine beaches, vibrant dive sites, adventurous activities, culinary delights, and rich cultural heritage.

Special focus will be placed on Cebu’s new attractions, high-tech convention centers, and integrated entertainment resorts, all designed to appeal to Singapore’s robust family leisure and MICE market.

The cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, along with the Department of Tourism Region 7 (DOT-7) have been invited to support and participate in this sales mission.

?This partnership seeks to enhance Cebu’s attractiveness as a tourist destination and position it as a top choice for travelers from Singapore.

Key partners and sponsors supporting the initiative include the Department of Tourism Region 7, Cebu City Tourism Commission, and Cebu Pacific Air, the official airline partner. Island Souvenir and Chocolate Chamber will also contribute to the event by providing giveaways that add a distinct Cebuano touch.

Participants from Cebu include Quest Hotel & Conference Center - Cebu, Crimson Resort & Spa Mactan, Lex Hotel, Fili Hotel NUSTAR Cebu, bai Hotel, Marco Polo Cebu, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts, Plantation Bay Resort, Pescadores Seaview Suites, Belmont Hotel Mactan, Southwind Tours and Travel Inc., Destinations Specialist Inc., Explore Cebu, and Travelite.

This Travel Sales Mission reaffirms Cebu’s commitment to expanding its market reach and building stronger partnerships in the region, positioning Cebu as a top choice for both leisure and business travelers from Singapore, added Reyes. — (FREEMAN)