New boss, new plans

Tuesday, 15 December 2009 19:26

THE incoming director of the tourism office in Central Visayas said she will beef up the region’s presence in the large-scale conventions and diving markets in an effort to bring in more tourists to the country’s best-selling tourism destination.



Maria Rica Bueno, who will replace outgoing director Patria Aurora Roa of the Department of Tourism (DOT) office here, said the provinces of Cebu, Bohol and Negros Oriental have what it takes to challenge the regional leaders in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) business like Singapore, Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur.



“The region has the products to meet the demands of all markets including specific needs of many segments,” Bueno said. She also highlighted every strong public and private-sector partnership in the region as a key advantage in helping get the region up above the competition. She said the Mice market brings huge advantages as they bring in large numbers, take up many rooms and the tourists go to many activities and do not necessarily just stay by the beach.



Central Visayas remains the top-tourist draw of the country, but the visitors mainly stay on the already- established beach resorts, especially in Mactan Island or Bohol and then take the well-known guided tours. Bueno said it is time for the region to offer its many other attractions like diving, which should draw long-haul and long-term staying tourists.



Unlike the traditional tourists, she said divers go to the rural areas and stay in more modest accommodations, spreading the advantages of tourism to more people.



Bueno is a 15-year veteran of the department and is currently sitting as the head of the Asia-Pacific team of the department’s tourism planning and promotions. She will take over the regional office next month.



Roa served the regional office of the DOT for 16 years and has been credited to helping make Central Visayas a tourism juggernaut in the Asian region. She said Bueno is not at all new to the stakeholders in the region as well as its markets, having been involved in the planning and marketing of Central Visayas in Asia Pacific.

Central Visayas posted 2.1 million tourist arrivals in 2008, with almost a 10-percent jump from the previous year. This made the region the best-selling tourism destination in the country.