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TASK PERFORMANCE

“Case Study”

(Central Visayas loses P35.5 billion in tourism revenue)

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

of the Subject “Philippine Culture and Tourism Geography”

To be Submitted to:

Prof. Snidely P. Abuel, Mba

Submitted by:

Dela Cruz, Trixie

Mateo, Trisha Camille Q.

Mejogue, Efren S.

Mimbalawag, Chaddy Kayle C.

Montero, Khollin Cyrill

Sanchez, Vanillyn A.

April 17, 2020

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I. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Central Visayas is strategically located in the Philippines' heart. It is one of the Philippines'
administrative regions, located in the Visayas island group. It serves as the gateway for both
foreign and domestic tourism, and it is served by both air and sea traffic. The region is made up
of four provinces: Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor. This island is endowed with
stunning scenery, astonishing beaches, an abundance of marine life, several caves, and a
pristine mountain. Some of the region's provinces offer visitors a glimpse of vibrant history and
tradition that has become a lifestyle and has had a significant impact on all the locals who live
there, as well as culture and several festivals that have become special to them.

According to the article of inquirer written by Ador Vincent Mayol entitled “Central Visayas
loses P35.5B in tourism revenue”, it addresses, how the Central Visayas was badly affected by
the corona virus. Due to closing of boarders to other places and quarantine rules and laws
caused by the coronavirus pandemic, Central Visayas has lost $713 million, or approximately
P35.5 billion, in tourism revenue that comes from foreign arrivals. The National Economic and
Development Authority (Neda) Regional Director stated that the income could be done so much
better but due to the pandemic, they could not reach their expected quota. Central Visayas is
one of the country's eight anchor tourist attractions, as well as one of the Visayas' supra-
regions with a tourism focus. Moreover, the Corona virus hits the Philippines and affected the
Hospitality and Tourism Sector enormously, and Central Visayas is one the regions that is a
tourism dependent economy. The Covid-19 outbreak has revealed the extraordinary extent to
which Cebu, the regional center, is economically dependent on foreign tourism.

The travel ban imposed as a result of the Covid-19 crisis harmed the economy of Central
Visayas. Hotels in Cebu are suffering as occupancy levels plummet due to a drop in arrivals from
China and South Korea. Furthermore, due to the public health scare, tour operators in Cebu
anticipate a drop in foreign arrivals in the first few months of 2020. The dilemma in tourism
industry will almost certainly stifle regional economic growth. Looking from all these given
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facts, the aim of the study is to solve the Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic in loss of Tourism
revenue in Central Visayas to look for its origin and how can this be address.

II. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study aims to look for a solution caused by the Covid-19 pandemic in Central Visayas.

 What actions can private and public sectors do in addressing and restoring the losses of
income in tourism revenue from foreign arrivals due to the Covid-19 pandemic?

 What are the innovative solutions that can possibly reinstate the tourism subsector that
was enormously affected by the income loss due to pandemic?

III. SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTH WEAKNESSES
 Strict implementation of laws.  Budget
 Sense of stewardship and connection  Closing international borders.
to environment  A limited of number of tourists that
 Still top on the list of the most visited can be accommodated at time.
places  A decrease in the of a number
 Re-opening of destination despite of operating business.
pandemic with proper restrictions.  Unemployment.
 Lacking product diversity.
 Poor partnership alliance.
OPPORTUNITIES THREATS
 Need to focus on exporting and  An increase of necessary of
trading. requirements needed to ensure
 Develop innovative solutions for easy safety.
monitoring.  Emerge of new regulations, increased
 Expansion and open outdoor spaces trade barriers and supply chain
are particularly attractive to disruption to the tourism and
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consumers who are considering virus hospitality businesses.

prevention.  Decreasing of consumer interest in
 Digital tourism campaign for travel.
promotion.  Economic instability
 Open access to larger markets.  Delay of vaccination.

IV. ALTERNATIVE COURSES OF ACTION (ACA)

When Covid-19 hit the country, it brought a burden to all especially in the tourism industry,
many restrictions were implemented and cancellations of activities. Every region was affected
and slowly lost their income and unfortunately, Central Visayas is constantly experiencing that.
Knowing that tourism is one of the economic drivers that maintain the undying progress of the
country, the researchers tried their best to come up with an alternative course of action in
order to help the government in addressing the mentioned problem.

 Focus more on Agri-tourism for maintaining the sustainability of the tourism industry,
despite the pandemic. Cancellation of flights may occur but the trading and exporting
of products and goods is still ongoing but has stricter regulations and safety protocol to
follow. Knowing that the export business in Central Visayas, consists of various sectors
namely electronics, industrial goods, furniture, seaweed, food, fashion accessories,
gifts, toys and housewares, shell craft, garments, and medical tourism. It proves that
giving more attention to this aspect will bring back the losses because of the crisis. In
connection, central needs to develop new products to export. These solutions have the
potential to propel tourism creativity in the direction of biodiversity, improvement, and
limiting the uses of natural resources such as water, coral reefs, wetlands, mangroves,
and coastlines, as well as hazard readiness in both urban and natural habitats.
 The public and private-sector relationship is an effective way of overcoming struggles.
A partnership probably the best solution to this problem. Building a relationship in this
situation can be a great asset in restoring the losses of the income in tourism revenue
and if that happens surely will have enough budgets for responsible recovery. For
instance, many private hospitals shared their facilities and equipment with the
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government to increase the capacity of the health care sector. Another is partnering
with the technology sector (private sector), assist the public sector with device
identification and diagnosis, patient monitoring, disease avoidance, and safety of
medical personnel because as a matter of fact, tourists visit the place if they know they
are safe especially in this situation that the country is facing, safety always comes first.
Just like the Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) bracelet which contains a 'smart tag'
made up of an RFID chip and antenna. The tag can be in the form of a visible card (often
made from plastic for durability) or it can be hidden or 'embedded' in other wristband
materials like silicone and cloth. Also, consists of emails and social media account for
easy tracking, which will allow the tourist does various activities in the area. This cannot
be achieved without a public and sector relationship. Because a fact that Central
Visayas is one of the regions visited by local and foreign national.

V. RECOMMENDATION

For future case studies, a few more research would be prodigiously appreciated for
more knowledge and information to gather. The researchers come up with many Alternative
Courses of Action, but they decided to put only two of them, the most crucial and most
effective way on overcoming the crisis. The researchers highly recommend both ideas in
restoring the losses of income in tourism revenue. Furthermore, focusing on Agri-tourism
programs could be a great asset associated with the public and private relationship. Partnering
with international airlines for easy promotion of tourism and to encourage more tourists, as
well as collaboration branding advertising promotional and tactical marketing campaigns, digital
and e-marketing, familiarization tours for airlines executives, media, travel trade partners, and
mutually beneficial activities. Somewhat with this idea, surely the losses in tourism revenue of
the area are deliberately being restored.

References:

ADB Institute. (2020). “Partnerships Critical to Overcome COVID-19 Crisis, Says ADB President”
retrieved on September 14, 2020 from https://www.adb.org/news/partnerships-critical-
overcome-covid-19-crisis-says-adb-president
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Lorenciana (2019) “US top destination for Cebu exports” retrieved on December 2, 2019 from
https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1834461/Cebu/Business/US-top-destination-for-Cebu-
exports

Inquirer.net (2021). “Imports, exports down 18.2% in 2020” Retrieved on January 28, 2021 from
https://business.inquirer.net/316557/imports-exports-down-18-2-in-2020

Congressional Research Service (2020). “Export Restrictions in Response to the COVID-19

Pandemic” Retrieved and updated on August 25, 2020 from
https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF11551