Whenever people talk about tourism in the Visayas, or in the Philippines as a whole, Boracay is always mentioned as the primary destination. Especially among tourists.
But one or two visits to this fabled island in Aklan may be enough, and so it is time to entice visitors, both foreign and local, to try similar destinations in Eastern Visayas.
In Samar and Leyte, and in Biliran, there are places that can rival Boracay.
We may mention the pristine white sand beaches of Higatangan island in Biliran, or the world-class diving and snorkeling areas in Sogod Bay, Leyte.
One reason these are known only to the Warays is that we lack the proper marketing programs for these places.
Then again, there's physical connectivity. We note the recent opening of new air routes between Tacloban City to other cities in Visayas and Mindanao. This is expected not only to strengthen connectivity between the two regions but also boost the local economy.
Two months ago, budget carrier Cebu Pacific launched two new direct flights between this city and the cities of Iloilo and Davao.
“With these additional flight options, traveling has never been easier. Whether you’re on a business trip, reconnecting with loved ones, or exploring the unique charms of these cities, you’re now just one flight away,” the chief of the regional DOT office, Karina Rose Tiopes, said.
We say this is the best time to introduce new destinations in the Philippines especially to the Chinese market. It is because the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has relaunched its e-Visa program that allows Chinese visitors to use the internet in securing their visas for a 14-day visit to the Philippines.
In October, Philippine Ambassador to China Jaime FlorCruz signed a memorandum of agreement with private firm VFS Global to facilitate visa processing for potential tourists in China. The new DFA secretary, Tess Lazaro, lobbied and pushed this effort with the Palace, all for the sake of the economy.
Under the relaunched policy, Chinese tourists who wish to visit the Philippines for up to 14 days can apply for the eVisa. Their points of entry, however, are limited to Ninoy Aquino International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Those staying longer may apply for regular visas at application centers in Beijing, Chongqing, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Shanghai.
It may be pointed out, too, that because of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's uncalled-for pronouncement on the Taiwan issue which angered China, the flow of Chinese visitors to Japan has stopped.
The Philippines should take advantage of this development and aggressively compete with Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore for a bigger share of the Chinese tourism market.
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