CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Provincial Tourism Office has observed an increase on tourists booking at the Capitol tourism portal for those who want to have vacation or tour in Cebu island.
Maria Lester Ybañez, provincial tourism officer, said the increase though is "not that drastic."
"Karon na study namo nga ning-gradual na gyud siya nga weekend daghan mosuroy, weekdays wala kaayo" Ybañez said.
With the launching of the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Tour packages yesterday, the Capitol is expecting an increase of the number of visitors coming in the island this Holy Week and in the coming months.
The Capitol is offering different tour packages for tourists who want to enjoy the different destinations in Cebu Province.
The rate of these packages depend on what category they are going to choose and if the guest chooses a single occupancy or double occupancy in a room.
There are three categories on the package rates which cover accommodation rates for rooms good for two persons, airfare, transportation from airport to destinations, tour operator, tour guide, travel essentials kit, and lunch meals for a four-night-three-day tour.
Category A is more expensive than Category B and Category C which is the cheapest.
For Bantayan Island Getaway, the rate ranges from P8,250 to P18,750 for domestic tourist while for local tourist, the rate ranges from P6,250 to P16,750.
For Malapascua Island Getaway, rate ranges from P7,550 to P18,050 for domestic tourist while P5,550 to P16,050 for local tourist.
For Southern Adventure/Northern Escapade/Staycation, the package rate ranges from P5,500 to P16,000 for local tourist while for domestic tourists, the rate ranges from P7,500 to P18,000.
Local tourists are those who are already staying in Cebu, thus, rates offered to them are lesser since they don't need to pay for the airfare.
Ybañez said they targeting that by March 22, they would open the booking for tourists and so by March 29, arrivals would also start.
"Naa tay promo period, we are targeting at least six months kay at least mubo unta to of course the revenue ba unya information pa gyud," Ybañez said.
Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Tour Package is the way of Cebu Province to revive the ailing tourism industry in the island after it was devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I hope that's attractive enough. Syaro dili ni makapabuhi pa gyud og samot sa turismo because by the way tourism is already alive and well here in the Province of Cebu. This time we are showing the rest of the country, this is the way Cebu does it, this is the way Cebu proves we are moving on and moving forward," Garcia said during the launching yesterday at the Capitol Social Hall.
It was on August 2020 when the Province opened its tourism industry after its quarantine restriction was eased to modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). — GMR (FREEMAN)