CEBU CITY – Despite the ongoing economic meltdown and other Asian countries recording negative tourism growths, Central Visayas remains active in the tourism arena, posting positive figures as of November this year, said Department of Tourism (DoT) 7 Director Dawny Roa.

Roa said while other regions and other Asian countries are posting downward charts in their tourism growth due to the global financial crisis, tourism figures in Central Visayas – particularly Cebu, Bohol, Negros Oriental, and Siquijor – continues to grow.

“We don’t have the official numbers yet but I am happy to say that while its really not that high, still, its positive,” said Roa during the weekly 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza hotel in Cebu City Tuesday.

Cebu, being a jump off point to other destinations in the Visayas, including Bohol, and Mindanao continue to be among the best sellers in the region for domestic and foreign tourists. In fact, Roa said, around 650 Japanese tourists are set to arrive in Cebu for a tour around the region.

Roa earlier urged tourism players not to be discouraged by the continuing financial crisis and continue to work hard to promote tourism not only in Cebu and Central Visayas but in the entire country.

She spoke during the 2nd National Convention of the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines recently, where she urged tourism stakeholders and students not to be distracted by negative news because despite the continuing crisis, the tourism industry is thriving.

“Prepare yourself because the tourism industry will continue to fly,” Roa told the more than 500 tourism and hospitality management students from around the country gathered at the Cebu Grand Convention Center.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano earlier said echoed the same views as Roa, saying that despite the global financial crisis, Philippine tourism continues to provide employment to Filipinos, with at least four million Filipinos now working in the industry.

“While other industries are laying off workers, the tourism industry continues to expand, opening up more opportunities to skilled Filipinos,” said Durano in an earlier interview.

Durano said the industry will continue to expand in the next five years as 8,000 more hotel rooms are expected to open up in the country, paving the way for more job openings.