Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III shared the province’s tourism strategy after supertyphoon Yolanda to participants of the 18th Inter-Island Tourism Policy (ITOP) forum in Phuket, Thailand last August 20 to 22.
Davide discussed the rebuilding inclusive and resilient tourism in Cebu where he highlighted the status of the tourism industry today, strategies to “build back better” after supertyphoon Yolanda, and some specific programs aimed at developing tourism in the smaller islands.
Davide was one of the speakers of ITOP, which is a three-day forum attended by representatives from Phuket, Thailand; Hainan, China; Jeju, South Korea; Bali, Indonesia; Penang, Malaysia; and Sri Lanka.
Davide cited the importance of attracting domestic tourists and showed that of the 2.6 million tourists, who visited Cebu last year, 1.4 million were domestic travelers.
“This is both good – because, we do not become too dependent on the health of the economy,” he said.
Davide also explained the Cebu provincial government’s focus to “build back better” after typhoon Yolanda and how this can be applied to the tourism industry.
“Our efforts of rebuilding the tourism industry is based on the assumption that: one, there will be another typhoon; and two, it could be stronger than the one which struck us in November last year,” he said.
“A safer and more resilient tourism industry shall be built on, and in a community aware of risks, and adapted to climate change.”
Davide also tackled the four pillars which is anchored on the recovery and development framework of the province, one of which is the creation of the barangay-level disaster risk reduction and management offices .
Davide also tackled in his speech the development plans set for Malapascua Island in northern Cebu.