CEBU CITY – The provincial government of Cebu expressed optimism that arrivals of local tourists will increase in the coming days.
This after the Capitol on Tuesday launched the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo Tour Packages.
“We saw an increase but it’s not that drastic since it was only recently that the travel restrictions were relaxed. We’re observing a gradual rise, especially on weekends,” said Marty Ybañez, Provincial Tourism Officer.
The launching of the tour packages came almost a month after Governor Gwendolyn Garcia decided to ease travel restrictions by eliminating the need to present real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results upon entering the province.
The province has partnered with three airline companies and local tourism players to offer tour packages in the hopes of reviving the tourism industry which was badly hit by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.
“We’re hoping that our packages are attractive enough if it meant giving more boost in reviving our tourism. Tourism is already alive and well here in Cebu and this time, we are showing the rest of the country that this is the way Cebu does it,” said Ybañez.
Ybañez announced that on March 22, guests may start booking for their desired tour packages through the Capitol’s online booking portal.
“We are expecting the first set of visitors this March 29,” she said.
“These packages’ promo will last up to six months. We initially decided to shorten its duration but of course, our stakeholders still need time to earn revenue and we still need more information in helping our tourism industry,” she added.
The rate of the tour packages will depend on the package that a guest will avail of.
The tour packages were divided on three categories: Category A, which is more expensive, Package B and Package C.
For the Bantayan Island Getaway, rates range from P8,250 to P18,750 for domestic tourists while local tourist will shell out P6,250 to P16,750.
Rates will vary depending on the hotel accommodations that the guests will choose.
For the Malapascua Island Getaway, rates are pegged at P7,550 to P18,050 for domestic tourists and P5,550 to P16,050 for local tourists.
For the Southern Adventure/ Northern Escapade/ Staycation tour package, rates are pegged at P5, 500 to P16,000 for local tourists and P7,500 to P18,000 for domestic tourists.
The tour packages include hotel accommodation, airfare, transportation from the airport to destinations, tour operator, tour guide, travel essentials kit and lunch meals.
Rates are lower for local tourists since they don’t have to pay for their airfare.