Cebu provincial gov't launches Cebu Guide app for APEC delegates

• Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php?nid=1&rid=795974
• Saturday, August 22, 2015

(PNA), RMA/PND/SSC

MANILA, Aug. 22 (PNA) -- The Cebu provincial government, in partnership with Smart communications, has released the updated travel application Cebu Guide, to give the delegates of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings in Cebu a handy guide to the top attractions of the province.

Made available by InnoPub Media and mobile leader Smart Communications (Smart) in partnership with the Cebu provincial government, the mobile app can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store for Android devices and Apple App Store for iOS. The app can also be downloaded from apps.myguide.ph/cebu/.

The guide lists island attractions - from heritage structures like ancient houses and centuries-old stone churches to white sand beaches and island-hopping destinations, a wide range of land and water activities, the best accommodations, food to try, and important contact numbers.

Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said the Cebu provincial government was working to make APEC 2015 meetings a success.

He said one of the initiatives was tapping existing partnerships like the Digital Tourism program with SMART and InnoPub.

“By providing delegates with information through the Cebu Guide app, we make their visits meaningful. By using the platform for announcements, we are also helping Cebuanos get the latest updates on APEC activities,” Davide said.

The app directory also provides a complete listing of Department of Tourism-accredited tour guides, tour operators, transport services as well as consular offices and emergency contacts like police and hospitals.

Tourist attractions, hotels and other locations featured in the app have GPS data and users need only to tap the "check location" link to be guided on how to get to a place.

Contact details are also active and users need only to tap on phone numbers to call a guide, tour operator, police station or any person or organization listed on the app.

Smart Communications said it is happy to support the Cebu provincial government in promoting what the province can offer to the APEC delegates.

A comprehensive and handy guide to Cebu, the Cebu Guide can help the delegates maximize their stay in the country, it said noting this is aligned with the company’s digital tourism program which aims to enhance the delivery of tourism information through the use of mobile and digital technologies.

A chapter of the travel guide will carry important Cebu updates, such as developments pertaining to the anticipated APEC meetings scheduled from August to October. The locally-relevant APEC updates will be provided by the Cebu Provincial Government.

The mobile app has a notification function that allows users to immediately receive information on such things as traffic changes like rerouting and road closures for the duration of the APEC 2015 meetings in Cebu.

The app is released as part of the nationwide Digital Tourism program by SMART and InnoPub Media in collaboration with local government units and private organizations. The program started in Cebu and is now in Iloilo, Baguio, Albay and Bohol and is set for expansion in key tourism areas in the country.

The APEC 2015 Third Senior Officials' Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM 3) will be held in Cebu starting Aug. 22 to Sept. 6.