Mendoza: Cebu is capable of hosting full Ironman

CEBU has become the home of the Cobra Ironman 70.3 Philippines for the past years with thousands of triathletes from around 40 countries coming here to race. Cebu has proven itself in that arena but should the ante be upped, like the possibility of hosting a fulldistance Ironman, Cebu will still be all in.

Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Chief Hembler Mendoza said that Cebu is very capable of hosting such a huge international event like a full Ironman.

“Lapu-Lapu City alone has 4,900 to 5,000 room accommodations every night. In the whole Cebu, we have around 15,000 to 16,000 rooms,” Mendoza said.

Sunrise Events Inc. (SEI) head Wilfred Uytengsu has said to national media that he “has long been deliberating about the possibility of bringing in the biggest triathlon event for quite some time.” The possible venue if that happens, however, was not dis- cussed by Uytengsu.

SEI is the organizer of the biggest triathlon events in the country with the banner races like 5150 and 70.3. Cebu will be the host of the Ironman 70.3 Philippines for the fifth straight year on Aug. 7, which is also an Asia-Pacific Championship race.

“If the full Ironman will be held in the country and Cebu will have the chance to host it would be a huge boost to our tourism,” said Mendoza.

“We’re talking about the revenues and the exposure of Cebu,” he said. “If the full Ironman will be in Cebu, it can give short revenue and provide more employment.”

Mendoza shared that during the Ironman week for the past years, the income of the hotels and restaurant increases.

One night of income in a hotel is equivalent to three ordinary days’ worth of income and for restaurants, a three-day operation during the Ironman, is equivalent to a 15 days earnings.

Mendoza said the full Ironman happening in the country is something we should look forward to and be ready for.

“Be ready if ever we are chosen. If they decide to host it, we must be ready,” he said. “We must have the international set-up in terms of logistics and every aspect of the event. We will treat it like the Asean Summit and Apec Summit.”

Mendoza added that by October, the Mactan Cebu International Airport will have additional direct international flights.

He said that in terms of flights, hotel accommodations, transportations and other aspects, Cebu is ready for it.

Cebu will welcome 3,000 triathletes from 41 countries for the Asia-Pacific Championships 70.3 on Aug. 7. The 1.9-kilometer swim, 90K bike and 21K run race will cover the cities of Cebu, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Talisay.