Tag: Tourism Promotions Board

  • Cebu aims to increase tourism through concerts and other events

    Cebu aims to increase tourism through concerts and other events

    Cebu is increasingly becoming a prominent destination for concerts and other live events, attracting both local and international artists, including LANY. The band is known for their dreamy pop sound and often includes various cities in their tours, and Cebu is one of the popular stops. It was their first time in the Queen City of the South to hold a solo headline show.

    In the week of October 13th to 15th, 2024, LANY’s three sold-out shows at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino gave a much-needed boost to Cebu’s tourism. Over the course of three nights, the concerts drew close to 10,000 fans, which is good for businesses in the areas. The hotel where LANY performed made a lot of bookings from the fans. Additionally, it has had an effect on the restaurants and other businesses in the surrounding area. This is one of the goals of the Tourism Promotions Board in partnership with Live Nation Philippines—to increase the number of visitors to Cebu by becoming a global entertainment hub. This is because Filipinos have a strong affinity for live music, and Cebu is already a popular destination for international tourists. It’s worth mentioning that tourists can easily reach Cebu through Mactan International Airport.

    The LANY tarpaulins welcomed me as soon as I arrived at the Mactan International Airport. Undoubtedly, it was one of the biggest live events in the Queen City of South this year.

    Having never been to Cebu before, I was looking forward to not only watching LANY but also exploring the city’s tourism attractions and trying out its many cuisines. The travel time to our destination at TOPS Cebu took us close to thirty minutes. There is a spectacular view of Cebu City from the Tops Cebu lookout observation deck. The well-known attraction has also been enhanced by the addition of a number of dining establishments that cater to the gastronomic requirements of the guests, as well as a large number of parking spaces. One hundred pesos is required to enter the premises, which is good, and I am aware that it is for the purpose of ensuring the place is maintained and cared for.

    View from TOPS Cebu

    It took us a little more than five minutes to drive to Temple of Leah from TOPS Cebu. The love that a husband had for his late wife is beautifully expressed and honored in this amazing tribute. Additionally, it is a museum, a library, and an art gallery in addition to having a Greco-Roman architectural design. Moreover, the temple provides a breathtaking panorama of the city of Cebu.

    Temple of Leah

    Despite the fact that their schedules were extremely full, LANY’s Paul Klein and Jake Goss were able to immerse themselves in the culture of the region during daytime. This provided them with the opportunity to learn about the local traditions. Fort San Pedro, the National Museum of the Philippines in Cebu, and the Casa Gorordo Museum were some of the notable cultural landmarks that they visited during their time on the island. Fort San Pedro was also one of the places that they visited.

    Photos courtesy of Casa Gorordo Museum

    Photo courtesy of National Museum Cebu

    Concert tourism in Cebu has proven the immense economic advantages that prominent music events can offer to the tourism industry, and this is just the beginning. These concerts have been a boon to local companies and tourists alike, drawing in huge crowds from other provinces in the country and fans from overseas. With each new big-name performer and the completion of the Seaside Arena in 2025, Cebu is poised to establish itself as a world-class entertainment hub. The clever use of exclusivity deals and meticulous event planning by local concert promoters and the government can sustain this development and reap long-term benefits for the city-state’s tourist business.

    The Filipino people are known for their warm and friendly nature, plus the fact that we have a passion for music and entertainment makes us a perfect host for large-scale concerts. With all the partnerships from the private and government sectors, I eagerly anticipate the upcoming live music events in Cebu.

    The following are some of the reasons why Cebu is also an excellent destination for international acts:

    1. Vibrant Music Scene: Cebu has a diverse music culture, with various genres represented, from traditional Filipino music to contemporary pop, rock, and electronic.
    2. Infrastructure: The city boasts several venues suitable for concerts, including the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, amphitheaters, Seaside Concert Grounds and its upcoming indoor arena, and intimate bars capable of accommodating various audience sizes.
    3. Accessibility: Cebu City serves as a major transportation hub in the Philippines, making it easy for tourists to get there. Mactan-Cebu International Airport connects easily to many destinations.
    4. Rich History and Culture: Concerts in Cebu often incorporate local culture, offering a unique experience with performances that highlight Filipino traditions.
    5. Festivals: The city hosts numerous festivals, such as the Sinulog Festival, which often features concerts and live performances, drawing in large crowds.
    6. Tourism Attractions: Besides concerts, tourists can explore beautiful beaches, historical sites, and delicious cuisine, making it a well-rounded travel destination.
    7. Growing Artist Scene: With a growing number of local artists and bands, Cebu is nurturing homegrown talent, leading to more concerts and music events.

    Overall, Cebu City has everything needed to be a thriving concert destination, blending music with culture and tourism.

    Special thanks to Tourism Promotions Board and Live Nation Philippines

  • Lany brings the spotlight to Cebu with a three-day sold-out concert

    Lany brings the spotlight to Cebu with a three-day sold-out concert

    LANY, a pop-rock band that was formed in 2015 and is comprised of Paul Klein and Jake Goss, has taken the music industry by storm with its distinctive sound, which is characterized by lyrics that are contemplative and backbeats that are propelled by synthesizers. With a strong core following consisting of millennials and Gen Zs, LANY was able to break through the barriers of the thriving music industry in Los Angeles and become a multi-platinum sensation that performs in arenas that are completely sold out all over the world.

    The infectious melodies and deeply moving lyrics of LANY have made them famous. Music videos for their singles “ILYSB,” “13,” and “Malibu Nights” have gone viral, winning over listeners all over the globe. Their fifth studio album, “a beautiful blur,” was a smashing success in the US, Australia, and Asia including the Philippines. Songs such as “XXL,” “Alonica,” “Love At First Fight,” and “Cause You Have To” are available for streaming on services like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The album’s emotive and personal quality has earned it high accolades from critics.

    LANY stands out from their contemporaries due to their uncanny ability to effortlessly blend genres. The band has developed a signature sound that feels both fresh and nostalgic at the same time as it draws from various influences that include synth-pop, electronica, and even indie rock. Paul Klein’s silky-smooth vocals are perfectly complemented by the band’s lush instrumentation and provide a soundscape that connects on a much deeper level.

    And with lyrics that often reflect the highs and lows of romantic relationships as typified by fan-favorite tracks like “ILYSB,” “Good Girls,” “13,” and “You!” “dancing in the kitchen” and most recently, “XXL,””Alonica,” “Love At First Fight,” and “Cause You Have To,” LANY’s music resonate with fans who can relate to their messages that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

    Having performed in the Philippines on numerous occasions, it’s no surprise then that LANY is again including the country in its ongoing world tour dubbed a beautiful blur. The band will perform at the Philippine Arena on October 12 and at the Waterfront Cebu Hotel & Casino from October 13 to 15.

    The fact that LANY will be performing three nights in Cebu makes the Waterfront dates unique because they are the first international artist or group to do so. Presented by Live Nation Philippines and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the three-day concert highlights Cebu as a top tourist destination for its rich historical heritage, vibrant culture, and beautiful sceneries. It also showcases Cebu as a preferred venue for international concerts, music festivals, and nightlife, all in an effort to promote the Department of Tourism’s “Love The Philippines” campaign. To market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE destination, in strategic partnership with private and public stakeholders to deliver a unique high-value experience for visitors, significantly contributing to increased arrivals, receipts, and investments to the country—which is very much aligned with LANY’s concerts in the Philippines, especially in Cebu.

    And a unique, high-value experience is exactly what the Cebu-based fans are getting with LANY, as they bring their brand of pop rock to the Queen City of the South.

    For more ticket information, you may visit the Live Nation PH website at www.livenation.ph

    About the Tourism Promotions Board
    An attached agency of the Department of Tourism, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) is tasked with the following:

    • Marketing and promoting the Philippines domestically and internationally as a major global
      tourism destination, highlighting the uniqueness and assisting the development of its tourism
      products and services, with the end in view of increasing tourist arrivals and tourism
      investments;
    • Marketing the Philippines as a major Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE)
      destination;
    • Attracting, promoting, facilitating and servicing large scale events, international fairs and
      conventions, congresses, sports competitions, expositions and the like;
    • Ensuring the regular local and international advertisement of the country’s major tourism
      destinations and other tourism, including Tourism Enterprise Zones (TEZ); and
    • Providing incentives to travel agencies, tour operators, wholesalers and investors abroad capable of drawing a sizable number of tourists and tourism investments to the country.