Tourism Complex eyes tourists in city’s heritage destinations

A local tourism player, Islands Group, is tapping the huge number of foot traffic visiting the heritage destinations in Cebu City for its newly opened “Tourism Complex” along Magallanes Street in downtown Cebu City.

Jay Aldeguer, Island’s Group president and chief executive officer, said the “Tourism Complex” aims to provide a convenient place where tourists can shop, dine and book tours and travel any time of the year.

Aldeguer said the complex, a one-stop-shop and hotel, is situated in a 1,800-square-meter property near the Magellan’s Cross landmark, where he expects a huge number of foot traffic especially during the Sinulog.

Aldeguer saw the need to set up the facility in the area because it is in proximity to other heritage destinations in the city starting from from Parian then to the museums all the way down to the Cebu Metropolitan Cathedral, Sto. Niño Church, to Fort San Pedro, then to Magellan’s Cross, which are all related to the Sinulog Festival.

“We need to emphasize these destinations because these have stories to tell about Sinulog and our heritage and a facility that will make it even more convenient for people will add value to these destinations,” said Aldeguer.

There will be different establishments that will be setting up shops within the complex according to Aldeguer, with Islands Souvenirs as its anchor store.

Aldeguer said the complex is designed to become a one-stop-shop for tourists offering products related to the festivities, including delicacies and souvenir items.

“There will also be ticketing office, walking-tour guides, travel and tour information, and many others that will spell convenience for the tourists. We are open for anyone who feels they want to be part of it. Tour operators and others,” said Aldeguer.

He said they were also studying what would be needed in the complex to complete it’s “one-stop-shop” concept for tourists.

“At present we have a bazaar called ‘So-ok, So-ok,’ a cultural show and Sinulog dance performances in the facility in time for the Sinulog grand celebration this Sunday. And we plan to do that every weekend the whole year,” he said.

Aldeguer said the shops would be on the first floor while a 45-room Islands Stay Hotel would be on the second floor of the complex.

He said these were all part of the Islands Group expansions projects for their chic hotel brand, which will be operational by second half of this year.

He said he is optimistic about the tourism industry’s continued growth especially with the Department of Tourism’s “It’s more fun in the Philippines” campaign.

“There is so much potential in putting investments within Cebu’s tourism landmark especially in our ‘heritage district,’ which is where tourists really visit when they are in Cebu. We are looking at other areas and services that we can offer in the complex,” said Aldeguer.

Aldeguer said the group had invested more than P10 million and would continue to invest with the ongoing construction of the hotel. Reporter Aileen Garcia-Yap