“We would like to congratulate Ms Frasco’s appointment. Her background in government and Cebu’s tourism will surely enable a boom in tourism all over the country,” said Charles Kenneth Co, president of Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
Melanie Ng, regional governor of Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry-Visayas, was also elated with the news.
“I’m sure she will bring vibrant, fresh and innovative tourism programs to the Department of Tourism (DOT). Her heading DOT will most definitely escalate tourism initiatives in the region and provide a big boost to our economic recovery,” Ng said.
Hotel, Resort, and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC) president Alfred Reyes also welcomed Frasco’s appointment, describing it as “good news for Cebu.”
“We will be back in the map again. We just hope she knows what Cebu really needs (in terms of tourism),” said Reyes.
Prior to the May elections, the HRRAC enumerated its wishlist for Cebu’s tourism sector under the incoming administration.
This includes the need for a new convention center in Cebu that can host big meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) activities to decongest big events in Metro Manila.
“Cebu really needs another convention center. Iloilo City already has one and some other areas. This is what I would really ask from the government to really invest in Cebu in terms of putting up a convention center,” said Reyes. “I don’t mind if it would be a private-led project.”
The group also wants to see improvement of seaport terminals in Cebu and the rest of the gateways in the Philippines; easing of Visa requirements; subsidies to airline companies in terms of paying landing, take-off and parking fees in the span of six months to one year to cope with the pandemic effect; review of the hotel star rating regulations; and address the proliferation of colorum tourist vehicles in Cebu.