Tagaytay isn’t just hosting a gymnastics meet. It’s cashing in on it. The picturesque city south of Manila is using the 10th Aero Gymnastics Asian Championships as the latest move in a deliberate strategy to turn world-class sports venues into a year-round tourism engine.

The event, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, has Tagaytay Mayor Brent Tolentino counting his blessings. “We are grateful to PSC chairman Patrick Gregorio and GAP president Cynthia Carrion for choosing Tagaytay as the host of this Asian meet because it helps us to raise our profile as a tourist destination, especially with foreigners,” Tolentino said.

World-Class Venues Fueling a Tourism Push

For Tolentino, son of Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, the championship is proof of concept for a bigger plan. “This is why we have been pushing strongly for sport tourism because we have world-class facilities and amenities to go with it,” he said.

He pointed to the UCI-certified Tagaytay CT Velodrome, the current site of the meet organized by the Gymnastics Association of the Philippines and sanctioned by the Asian Gymnastics Union, along with the Tagaytay Combat Center, as two of the modern sports arenas the city has to offer. “We want to highlight these competition arenas as available venues for both top local and international events because staging them here is a major boost to our economy and our businesses,” Tolentino said.

The timing matters, too. “During Tagaytay’s lean months, having sports events such as these also provide opportunities for our establishments and local industries, so this (Asian meet) is a godsend,” added Tolentino of the tournament, which is also backed by the POC and the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.

A “No-Brainer” for Organizers, a Win for Local Business

Isa Braga of the Tagaytay Tourism and Cultural Development Office confirmed that tourism remains the biggest economic driver for the city overlooking Taal Lake. “There are 300 restaurants, cafes and other establishments that service our local and foreign tourists alike, so whenever they are here, our tourism thrives and provides them with income-generating opportunities, raising our profile as a premier tourist destination,” Braga said.

PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio said choosing Tagaytay as host of the 10th Aero Gymnastics Asian Championships was an easy call. “For one, who does not want to go to Tagaytay because of its accessibility to Metro Manila, a tourist’s haven where one can relax, renew and enjoy the beautiful scenery,” Gregorio said.

“It also gives us the opportunity for our foreign visitors to sample a different ambience outside of the Big City while providing opportunities for those engaged in the Tagaytay tourism industry,” he added. “This is a win-win situation for all.”

On the competition side, preliminaries in individual men’s and women’s events, groups, mixed pair, trio, aerobic dance, and aerobic steps across the senior (18 years old and above), junior (15 to 17 years old), and youth (12 to 14 years old) divisions began Wednesday. Some finals are set for Thursday morning and afternoon.