Tourism in Santander, Cebu goes digital

Tourism in a town in Cebu province has joined the digital age, with the rollout of its tourism app for mobile phones.

Santander's tourism app features markers for five of the town’s tourist spots, the provincial government said Tuesday.

Launched last April 17, the app highlights the municipal hall, church, belfry, watchtower, and Sanayon.

Dubbed "Santander Guide," the app serves as a guide to preview the town of 17,000 at Cebu's southern tip.

Santander Mayor Marilyn Wenceslao said the digital tourism launch in Santander is part of a province-wide expansion of the tourism project in Cebu.

Wenceslao noted Santander is part of the BOSS (Boljoon–Oslob–Santander–Samboan) south Cebu tourism circuit.

Media startup InnoPub Media and Smart Communications implemented the digital tourism program that started in Cebu.

Other areas

Meanwhile, Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is planning to include Bantayan and Camotes in the digital tourism program.

Provincial Tourism Officer Grace Paulino said some towns in the north will also get their mobile app next.

The Cebu provincial government noted Santander is also a gateway to adjacent Negros, Siquijor, and Bohol.

Markers

In the app, the markers contain quick response (QR) codes and near-field communications (NFC) stickers.

Once activated, they will trigger the download of more information about a site or structure.

While the app is initially available for Android devices, a version for iOS is coming soon. — Joel Locsin/BM, GMA News