Scheduled on April 12 to 14, 2024 at the Ayala Center Cebu, the CTCI 2024 is poised to introduce attractive products aimed at enticing a greater number of inbound and outbound tourists.
Presented by the Cebu Travel & Tours Alliance (CTTA) in partnership with the Cebu Alliance Tour Operation Specialists Inc. (CATOS), CTCI 2024 aims to encourage travel enthusiasts to venture into new destinations or revisit favorite sites.
Up for grabs are various offerings from hotels, travel agencies, airlines, and other tourist-related enterprises. These include staycations, promo airline fares, and group tours.
CATOS president Ms. Alice Queblatin said there are now changes in the tourism strategies of Cebu stakeholders. With the changes in the dynamics of the travel sector in the country, Cebu could no longer rely on beaches as a tourist attraction, she revealed.
She recalled that in the past, tour operators offered Bohol as a day tour. In contrast, tourists stay longer in Bohol and have a shorter stay in Cebu.
With tourists staying up to 14 days in the Philippines, the tourism sector has to be innovative and offer more attractive packages.
The CTCI 2024 will offer multi-destination packages such as Cebu-Bohol-Palawan so that tourists can maximize their stay here and enjoy different attractions, Ms. Queblatin said.
While Cebu could not compete with the beach attractions in other areas in Central Visayas and Mindanao, the presence of Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) will help boost the travel industry in Cebu, she pointed out.
Considered among the best, if not the best airport in the country, MCIA private operator has a marketing team that helps promote Cebu as a destination.
The airport is working on serving more direct international flights and additional local flights. Currently, the airport serves at least 17 international and nine domestic airline companies. There are more than 200 international flights and over 700 domestic flights weekly.
This year’s CTCI is co-presented by Philippine Airlines, Turkish Air, Newport World Resorts, the Cebu Safari & Adventure Park, and El Mar Resort.
The Hong Kong Tourism Board and the Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCB) are the gold sponsors while Anjo World Theme Park, Movenpick Hotels and Resorts, Golden Sands, and Air Asia are the bronze sponsors. The activity is also in partnership with the Department of Tourism Region VII, the Cebu City Tourism Office, and venue partner Ayala Center Cebu.
The CTTA is a leading organization dedicated to the promotion of tourism and travel in the Philippines. It aims to showcase the beauty and diversity of the region, fostering global connections, and promoting sustainable travel practices.
