The members of the Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu Inc. (HRRAC) have launched its month-long online sale dubbed “I Love Cebu” as they focus on reviving the province’s tourism industry which was among the industries that were greatly affected by the pandemic.
The online sale, which is launched a year after the government has implemented a nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19, puts the limelight on Cebu again as HRRAC with its “I Love Cebu” endeavor aims to put the island back on the travel map for domestic travelers.
“The tourism industry has been affected by the global crisis, now as we mark its anniversary our primary concern is the revival of the tourism industry,” said HRRAC President Alfred Reyes during the launching of the event held at Bai Hotel on March 16, 2021.
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The online sale is participated by over 60 establishments composed of tour operators, hotels, and restaurants and will run from March 21 to April 31, 2021.
For years Cebu has been known as one of the leading tourist destinations in the country for both domestic and international travelers.
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A gateway to other destinations, in 2019 the island was named second most visited tourist destination in the country next to Boracay Island and has gained more than 3.2 million arrivals in that same year.
This is a huge step as we embark on a digital campaign to promote tourist attractions, said HRRAC President Alfred Reyes
“We need to collaborate, and put in mind that we still have to remain a responsible traveler,” said Reyes.
While we are still continuing to battle the pandemic, Reyes thanked the local government of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu for supporting their initiative together with the Department of Tourism (DOT-7) and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).
Cebu Is Ready
During the launching, Lawyer Maria Anthonette Allones, TPB chief operating officer, shared that the TPB had been rolling out its plan on steering “safety tourism.”
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Part of this is utilizing digital tools in creating a “Tourist Concern Hub,” a platform where all news and information can be accessed on certain destinations.
“Based on our study, travelers want to have access to information regarding about the place they are traveling without the need to scroll through various pages and new sites,” she said.
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Aines Librodo, GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corporation head of airline marketing and tourism development, said that Cebu would now be ready to welcome travelers back to the island.
“The airport is ready and we have implemented safety protocols including the LGUs, resorts, and hotels,” she said.
“This is a huge step as we embark on a digital campaign to promote tourist attractions,” added Reyes.
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While the pandemic has drastically changed the way people travel, with the online sale HRRAC is hopeful that with their efforts focused on domestic travelers, Cebu’s once-bustling tourism economy will be revived.
For travelers, who want to avail the promos on the online sale, one can go through: https://traveloco.ph/?page=event&event=ilovecebu .
/dbs
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