PHILIPPINES - Need for "central" tourist spot seen

The Freeman 11/06/2006

Despite the influx of tourists coming to Cebu, there is a still need to identify and develop a specific tourist site where foreign visitors can shop and dine in style for it to be comparable with popular international tourist destinations like Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong, said a tourism executive.

Robert Lim Joseph, member of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, recently said Cebu has a lot to offer for foreign tourists but for it to be effectively marketed, it should have a particular tourist area for shopping and dining.

"We should not try to package Cebu as a foreign tourist destination where everything is cheap, as Cebu can really compete with the likes of Sentosa of Singapore, Ocean Park of Hong Kong and Phuket, Thailand," he added.

While Cebu has an edge due to its international airport serving direct international flights, Joseph said there is need for it to make foreign tourists to spend more, adding that luring these tourists would mean additional income because they have the capacity to spend in dollars.

Cebu Vice-Gov. Gregorio Sanchez agreed with the need to come up with an exact spot not only for a well-known commercial tourist site but likewise, for an investment area as well. The vice-governor said tourism is a major thrust under the administration of Gov. Gwen Garcia as one major infrastructure project, which is the transaxial highway, will also be a main tourism attraction.

Sanchez declared the transaxial highway that is expected to cost between P3 billion to P4 billion will help spur economic development faster in the countryside as the major thoroughfare connects from the southern tip to the northernmost part of Cebu.

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