The Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC), in cooperation with business owners in mountain areas, will develop programs aimed at sustaining tourism flow in upland destinations.
"The challenge businesses are facing now in TCH (TransCentral Highway) is that malls have opened again and that people are now back in malls," said Edwin Ortiz, CCTC Commissioner.
Along the TCH route, which is 33 kilometers, there are restaurants overlooking Cebu City, vegetable and flower gardens, vacation houses, and mountain resorts, among others. The mountain stretch was popular during the pandemic as people sought open spaces for dining and relaxation.
Ortiz said to prevent businesses from further losing revenues due to low customer traffic, the Hilly Land Group which he heads is crafting programs to restore and sustain the vibrancy in the area. However, the success would depend on the support of the stakeholders.
Ortiz is cited as coming up with a flower festival like that of the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City.
A Highland Blooms and Eco-Tourism program is now being implemented with the participation of 10 Cebu City upland barangays, namely, Tagbao, Sinsin, Tabunan, Sudlon 1, Sudlon 2, Babag, Buhisan, Bonbon, Budlaan, and Adlaon.
TCH is known as Dr. Emilio Osmena Highway named after the father of former Cebu Governor Emilio Mario Osmena and former Senator John Henry Osmena. It connects Cebu City and the town of Balamban in west Cebu.