Dolphin watching is among the new tourism offerings being promoted by Barili town as Cebu province and the rest of Central Visayas reopens its tourism industry. | Contributed Photo/ Barili Tourism Office
MANDAUE CITY, Cebu – The recently concluded International Travel Festival (ITF) 2022 signaled the resurgence of tourism nationwide, with fresh travel destinations, exciting new activities and renewed emphasis on health and safety protocols.
In a statement, Director Shahlimar Hofer Tamano of the Department of Tourism in Central Visayas (DOT-7) said the mounting of ITF 2022 was “well-timed as we move into welcoming foreign and and domestic tourists once again to enjoy the country’s sites, culture and heritage.”
Tamano added that various activities promoting unique visitor experience are currently being developed in the region.
Central Visayas sustained immense economic loss in tourism-related opportunities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and super typhoon Odette.
While some establishments remain closed because of the need to repair facilities that were wrecked by Odette, several others have started to re-open in anticipation of better days.
Performers entertain guests during the International Travel Festival 2022. | Photo from DOT-7
The recent ITF 2022 was organized to help in the recovery of tourism industry players. It which was the largest travel convention in the Visayas and Mindanao as it drew 60 private industry stakeholders and featured the 160-square meter Visit Central Visayas pavilion as its centerpiece.
During its weekend run from February 18 to 20, 2022 at the Ayala Center-Cebu, visitors were able to pick their choice of sites to visit from a wide range of tourism destinations located in Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, Siquijor, Davao, Northern Mindanao, the National Capital Region, Eastern Visayas, the Cordilleras, Camiguin, Palawan and Boracay.
An estimated 180,000 visitors attended the event, some of whom already made bookings with exhibitor-airlines, hotels and resorts.
“ITF 2022 is a major milestone for tourism. We are proud to host and support this event as it is a reboot for the industry,” Tamano said.
DOT-7 also facilitated product presentations for various local government units on the first day of the festival.
Day 2 was dedicated for its their Dive7 Program while outdoor activities were showcased on the third day of the event.
“ITF 2022 is only the opening salvo. Visitors to the region and the country can look forward to more and more stimulating destinations coupled with the institution of protocols that will ensure the everyone’s health and safety,” Tamano added.
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