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A REVIEW committee will be formed by the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) to screen travel magazines distributed within the airport’s premises.
MCIAA information officer Ahmed Cuizon said the review committee will ensure that all travel publications will promote Cebu as a wholesome tourist destination.
This came in the wake of a complaint by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s wife Margot Osmeña who said she spotted “girly bars” advertisements printed in one travel guide.
Osmeña, an advisor of the Cebu Tourism Board, was unable to recall the name of the travel guide but hastened to add that these type of advertisements should be rejected.
She said these travel guides should present adequate maps of tourist spots and not “girly bars” in Cebu since it is not in keeping with the Cebu city government’s tourism program.
At least three travel magazines–The Pot of Cebu, Kinse Advertising, and Big Island Visitors Guide–are distributed free in the MCIAA.
These travel guides are placed in racks inside stalls in the international and domestic arrival areas.
Cuizon said the agencies publishing these materials have secured permits after passing the airport screening.
He said distributors should have a business permit and pay a P3,000 concession fee on a quarterly basis.
A July issue of Big Island Visitors Guide obtained by showed three full page ads of night clubs with pictures of girls in bikinis.
However, an official of the agency who requested anonymity said these advertisements are placed in the travel guide’s middle pages.
The MCIAA information officer said the president of Big Island Advertising, Matthew Staples already talked with Osmeña and promised not to publish any “girly bar” advertisements.”
Cuizon said the review committee will coordinate with the Department of Tourism (DOT) for the screening.
“We should adhere to the direction of promoting Cebu as a vacation, convention and an investment destination,” he said.
Osmeña reiterated that placing too many advertisements of night clubs may give the wrong impression that Cebu City is one big city of bars.
