ShareThisCEBU CITY – Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim said he believes the country has recovered from the backlash of the hostage-taking incident near the Quirino Grandstand in Manila’s Rizal Park last August 23.
Lim, who was in Cebu for the Philippine Russian Business Forum at the Cebu International Convention Center in Mandaue City, said other markets have compensated for the loss of tourists from Hong Kong.
Lim noted that Russians, Indians and tourists from the Middle East have visited the country.
While he admitted they come from farther nations, he pointed out that tourists from these countries stay longer and spend more.
By the end of the year, Lim said they hope to increase the number of foreign tourists to 3.3 million.
Currently, the Koreans dominate the number of foreign tourists visiting the Philippines.
Cebu is a top market for Koreans, he said.
He noted that the country is attractive for this market because it is a short distance from Korea and they can learn English here.
He also added that the Imperial Palace resort in Mactan is owned by a Korean firm and they have their own tour operators based here.
Lim said Cebu has many advantages for tourism such as direct flights to key areas.
He said there is room for more direct flights to more international destinations.
But he said there is a need to address some problems in infrastructure, energy and water supply.