Central Visayas logs 1.3M visitors in first quarter

• Source:http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/business/2016/06/03/central-visayas-logs-13m-visitors-first-quarter-477484
• Monday, June 6, 2016

By Katlene O. Cacho

CENTRAL Visayas welcomed 1.3 million tourists during the first three months of the year, records from the Department of Tourism (DOT) 7 show.

First quarter arrivals increased by 9.07 percent from the 1.2 million arrivals during the same period in 2015.

Local tourists grew by 13.46 percent to 718,627 this year while foreign tourists registered 588,270 in arrivals, up by 4.65 percent compared last year.

Cebu Province welcomed a total of 938,887 tourists, followed by Bohol at 175,234 arrivals, Negros Oriental (174,018) and Siquijor (21,756).

Tourist arrivals in Cebu grew by 5.73 percent, from 887,999 during the same period in 2015.

Arrivals from China recorded the highest growth during the first quarter, posting growth of 103.04 percent or from 25,131 arrivals last year to 51,027 this year.

Five source markets, however, posted negative growth— Australia (-7.90 percent), Germany (-3.23 percent), United Kingdom (-13.47 percent), Canada (-17.25 percent) and Taiwan (-30.94 percent).

DOT 7 Director Rowena Montecillo yesterday said they are currently studying the tourism and travel trends. She said total Canadian outbound travel declined by 5.3 percent due to economic problems. DOT 7 is still looking at other markets.

Korea supplied the most arrivals to the region at 206,621, up by 3.03 percent. Japan came second with 98,754 arrivals or a growth of 9.41 percent. China came third followed by the United States, which grew by 3.78 percent or 50,924 arrivals.

Arrivals from Australia logged 17,003; Germany (13,937); France grew by 11.82 percent (13,901); UK (10,995); Canada (10,469); and Taiwan (6,331).

DOT said that for the first quarter of 2016, the Philippines recorded 1.6 million arrivals, which reflects the strong performance of the tourism industry.

Meanwhile, Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale pledged to develop more ecotourism destinations in Cebu Province, citing the rising interest among tourists on nature tours.

Speaking before the members of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Magpale said pushing for ecotourism ensures Cebu’s natural resources will be taken care of through proper development so it can withstand the pressures brought about by natural disasters.

At present, the province is conducting a workshop among local government units on ecotourism management through the Cebu Investment and Promotions Office (CIPO) for the Province to eventually come up with a comprehensive plan.

Some eight towns have participated in the workshop held in Argao, which had about 120 individual participants. The workshop covered discussions on ecotourism best practices, culture, cuisine, crafts and textiles, hospitality, waste management, as well as legislation and government policies in relation to tourism laws and protected areas.

After the workshop, Magpale said viable ecotourism projects of the LGUs will have access to funding, which is ready for release. Last year, the Province released funding to Samboan for the Aguinid Falls development; Tabuelan for its river-cruise project; and Badian and Alegria for their canyoneering activities.

Magpale also disclosed that a Tourism Code for the Province will soon be in place. She said it has already passed the first reading and will soon be out for public hearing.