Cebu rolls out red carpet for HK tourists

Cebu rolled out the red carpet for tourists as preparations shifted to high gear for two major festivals the city will host later this month – the Sinulog on January 21 and Lunar New Year’s Day on January 24.

On Sunday (Jan. 7), the city’s tourism community turned out in full force to welcome arriving tourists from Hong Kong at the Mactan International Airport.

On hand to greet passengers of Philippine Airlines Flight PR 369 from Hong Kong were ranking tourism officials led by Philippine Tourism Authority general manager Nixon Kua and Department of Tourism regional director Dawnie Roa.

Also present were Bernadette Jingco, president of the Cebu Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Association; Mariano Li Tan, president of the Lapu-Lapu City Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce; and Felix Cruz, PAL vice president for marketing.

Kua praised the Cebuanos’ grit and energy in organizing activities for the Sinulog and Chinese New Year – both major tourist draws – despite the political crisis gripping the country.

“Cebu is pulsating with life. The Visayas region is indeed a haven for tourists and adventure seekers. I am certain you will enjoy your stay here immensely,” he told the Hong Kong tourists.

Jingco of the Cebu hotel association assured the visitors of warm, honest and top-class service at all Cebu properties, which range from five-star resorts to budget lodges.

For his part, Li Tan said the Chinese community of Cebu was going all out in support of the festivals, particularly the celebrations to usher in the Year of the Snake on January 24.

“We are leaving no stone unturned to ensure that all our guests enjoy their holiday in Cebu and come away with a positive impression of the country,” said Tourism director Roa.

Anticipating an influx of tourists from Hong Kong for the upcoming holidays, PAL’s Cruz said the flag carrier would add an extra flight on selected days to its four-times-a-week service between the territory and Cebu.

The additional flight will be operated on January 23, 24, 25, 27 and 28 to serve the needs of visitors spending the Lunar New Year holidays in Cebu.

PAL flies every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday between Cebu and Hong Kong using widebody Airbus 330-300 aircraft.

The flag carrier also operates direct flights between Cebu and Tokyo, Osaka and Seoul.