Cebu tourism associations lead sales mission to Singapore

A private sector-driven travel sales mission to Singapore is scheduled for August 26-28, 2024. This initiative is spearheaded by the Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) and the Cebu Association of Tour Operation Specialists (CATOS).

The three-day mission will involve interactive sessions with top-producing travel agents, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) and leisure organizers, and tour wholesalers in Singapore. The highlight of the mission will be a full-day product presentation and business-to-business (B2B) session in a vibrant travel mart atmosphere.

“Singapore is a big potential market for Cebu. It is currently the biggest source of our arrivals from ASEAN, and we hope to build it up further,” explained Alfred Reyes, president of HRRAC.

“There are three airlines operating no less than 21 flights a week as of today between our two cities,” added Reyes. “That speaks a lot by itself. We need to further promote our destination to the Singaporeans.”

“The Cebu product of sun and sand, diving and adventure, food, and shopping has always been an attraction, based firmly on our heritage and culture,” said Alice Quiblatin, president of CATOS.

“Today, we have several new products from theme parks to state-of-the-art convention facilities and an integrated entertainment resort. This opens up more markets for us, and we know Singapore’s family leisure and MICE market is very strong,” added Quiblatin.

The mission aims to showcase Cebu’s diverse offerings, including its pristine beaches, vibrant dive sites, adventurous activities, culinary delights, and rich cultural heritage. Special focus will be placed on Cebu’s new attractions, high-tech convention centers, and integrated entertainment resorts, all designed to appeal to Singapore’s robust family leisure and MICE market.

The cities of Cebu, Mandaue, and Lapu-Lapu, along with the Department of Tourism Region 7, have been invited to support and participate in this sales mission. This collaboration aims to strengthen Cebu’s tourism appeal and establish it as a premier destination for Singaporean travelers.

Participants from the hospitality and travel industry are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis, as space is limited for the business sessions. Interested parties can contact Ms. Hannah Paler at hannah.selrahco@gmail.com or HRRAC Joey Osmeña at hrracinfo@gmail.com.