Cebu sees increase in open-air cafes, countryside tourism

MINERVA BC NEWMAN

CEBU CITY – Cebu Province sees an increase and trends in open-air cafes and countryside tourism as it continues to reopen its towns and cities showcasing various locally-sourced products, services and tourism attractions.

"Here we are again for the 5th tranche of the “R' Cebu Yes, I do! Tercero Distrito” showcasing the mid-west pride of Cebu Province.  I recalled the first R'Cebu showcase, it was not as lively as we have now.  A lot has happened from then and now we can say with awe and we can say that Cebu moves on and moving forward," Cebu governor Gwendolyn Garcia said in her opening message during the “R' Cebu Yes, I do! Tercero Distrito” display and exhibit at the Robinsons Galleria on May 21-23.

According to Garcia Cebu is a success story by opening its economy amid the pandemic.  What makes Cebu tick are the Cebuanos, creative, innovative and that indomitable spirit to succeed. Garcia added that no matter what kind of challenges, she will face them because of the Cebuanos.

Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Shalimar Hofer Tamano on the other hand said that Cebu is very much alive after one year of the pandemic with the reopening of the local tourism with less hassle and less paper requirements.

“We are seeing trends right now where people want open-air cafes, nature adventure, glamping, beach resorts and other countryside tourism attractions such as beaching, chasing waterfalls, sunrise and sunsets,” Tamano said in his message in the same event.

Tamano added that business this year it seems, is better before the pandemic especially around the mountain areas along the Cebu-Balamban Transcentral Highway where beautiful flower gardens, open spaces restaurants and sea/mountains resorts have sprouted overnight when governor Garcia reopened the province to local tourists.

Meanwhile, catch R’ Cebu! Returns this weekend showcasing the Mid-West pride of Cebu Province from May 21-23, 2021 and enjoy the various delicacies, tourist spots, and offerings from Aloguinsan, Asturias, Balamban, Barili, Pinamungajan, Toledo City, and Tuburan at Robinsons Galleria Cebu Atrium.

R’ Cebu! is presented by Robinsons Galleria Cebu in partnership with the Cebu Provincial Government to support the local farmers, fishermen, artisans, and small business owners.

Some local delicacies and products to bring home are 100% organic Cassava chips, tablea and camote cookies with malunggay from Aloguinsan; Bingka Dawa, budbud moron, therapeutic clay from Asturias.

Also available are the original Balamban liempo, handicrafts, binangkal, tumeric with ginger powder from Balamban; Goats milk, pinato, tinapay de Barili from Barili; Caramilk cookies, native baskets, coco sugar from Pinamungajan; Toledo City’s Puto lancho, coconut vinegar, tableya, lakay-lakay broom and Tuburan coffee from Tuburan.