THE proposal to cluster Cebu’s towns and cities into separate, identifiable tourism destination packages gained the support of industry stakeholders in last week’s Tourism Congress Forum.
The clustering strategy was presented by Tourism Undersecretary Daniel G. Corpuz during last week’s forum. It forms part of the Department of Tourism’s proposed National Tourism Development Plan.
The plan to establish the country as a “must-experience” destination in Asia was supported by stakeholders like Alice Queblatin, vice president for the travel and tours sector in the Visayas.
Cebu is part of the Central Visayas cluster, one of 20 thematic destinations covering 78 priority areas in the country.
Queblatin said the clustering will benefit more players and allow for a more unified thrust and movement by identifying tourism destinations according to the themes identified by DOT.
“Clustering is most sensible and practical for tourism development and promotions, especially for secondary and emerging destinations,” Queblatin said.
She said promotion activities will focus on an image through an anchor destination with complimentary activities in other places within the cluster.
“Connectivity is increased among the rest and access is improved. We can do joint marketing promo activities and achieve cost-efficiency in the process,” said Queblatin.
Plantation Bay Resort and Spa general manager Efren Belarmino agreed with Queblatin, saying he thinks the NTDP is great especially if it can be implemented soon.
“Before implementation, local government units must do their parts in order for the programs to be successful,” Belarmino said.
Issues like safety and security, infrastructure, traffic management, road conditions and cleanliness are among the issues that need assistance and cooperation from the local government, he said.
Corpuz said the proposed NTDP will focus on three main strategies. The first is developing and marketing competitive tourism products and destinations.
This is followed by improvement of market access, connectivity and destination infrastructure; and improvement of tourism institutions, governance and human resource capabilities.
DOT set a target to 10 million foreign tourists and 35 million domestic travellers by 2016.
“With the proposed NTDP, we aim to develop an industry that’s environmentally and socially responsible delivering more widely distributed income and employment opportunities,” Corpuz said.
Jay Aldeguer, CEO of the Island Group of Companies, said he has yet to study the tourism plan. “But it looks like the DOT is in the right direction,” he said. /Aileen Garcia-Yap, Reporter