With fewer Cebu towns to visit, the first Suroy-Suroy Sugbo countryside tour of the Cebu provincial government for 2013 will have a “relaxing” itinerary for tourists and guests, an official said.
Capitol tourism officer Grace Paulino yesterday said guests will have more time for swimming and relaxation in the seven towns hosting them.
The two-night-three day swing through south Cebu, which begins today, will also be the first time the Suroy Suroy is conducted without Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia leading the convoy of tour buses due to her suspension.
About 200 guests, including groups from Las Vegas and Singapore, have signed up for the package tour dubbed “Southern Getaway”.
Acting Gov. Agnes Magpale and Provincial Board Member Arleigh Sitoy will be joining the tour.
Sumilon Island off Oslob town is one of the destinations in today’s leg with towns of San Fernando, Argao and Santander hosting.
Tomorrow is the turn of Samboan is the southeast coast. On Friday, Barili, Ronda and Talisay City will host the tourists.
Guests were advised to bring swimsuits and beach attire.
The first Suroy-Suroy was staged in north Cebu to offer visitors a sampler of Cebu’s culture, heritage and nature attractions outside the city.
It became a major program of Governor Garcia starting 2008.
A draft ordinance in the Provincial Board seeks to institutionalize the program to ensure it continues even after the end of Garcia’s term in June 30.
Magpale, in an earlier interview, said several tourists already made reservations for the Suroy- Suroy in January, which is normally scheduled right after the Sinulog festival.
Today, guests will motor south to Oslob town and cross to Sumilon Island for lunch until 4:30 p.m. They will stay overnight in resorts in Santander town.
On the second day, visitors will experience Kawasan Falls in Badian town in the west coast.
Participants will assemble this morning to board buses at Plaza Independencia instead of the Capitol grounds.
Instead of renting commercial buses, the Capitol wil use tourist buses recently purchased by the province for the Suroy Suroy program and distributed to the towns.
Paulino said guests will have more time to enjoy the resorts where they are billeted. Some tourists have already requested for rooms near the pool and the beach.
Paulino said it took Capitol staff two weeks to prepare the itinerary with the assistance of the Balik Cebu committee.