CCCI aims to develop the souvenir industry

In a bid to build-up the tourism industry in Cebu, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Tourism Committee is moving to fully develop the "unattended" souvenir industry in Cebu.

Mostly a "mom and pop" kind of business, CCCI is geared towards professionalizing and strengthening the souvenir industry here, as it is one of the primary support sectors for tourism, said Mila Espina, CCCI Tourism Committee chairperson.

Espina said that in the upcoming Cebu Business Month (CBM), wherein tourism is one of the sectors that will be highlighted, a focus on developing the souvenir industry will be initiated.

Businessman Jay P. Aldeguer, who owns the successful Island Souvenirs Inc. (ISI) will be tapped to lead the full development of the industry.

Part of the plan, Espina said is to encourage strong entrepreneurship drive for souvenir product traders, to expand the industry in order to effectively support the tourism potential of Cebu.

"Selling souvenirs is not just merely trading, but it's a tourism-based entrepreneurship," Espina said adding that players deserved to be helped and given utmost attention.

In an earlier interview, Aldeguer admitted that the souvenir industry, although it has been there ever since, has not been able to take off "professionally."

Aldeguer described the industry, which is up until now, regarded as a cottage industry- a "sleeping giant."

"My observation is that the souvenir industry, not only in the Philippines but even internationally, is perceived as a cottage-type industry. It hasn't evolved into anything," Aldeguer said.

Aldeguer believes that there is huge potential in the souvenir business, especially in tourism hotspots like Cebu.

About 80 percent of the tourism spending goes to souvenirs. The Philippines generates an average of P31-million tourism-related revenues.

If proper support can be given to the players, directing them to higher business perspective, souvenir industry in Cebu could become one of the largest industries.

As a start, Espina said CCCI, through the CBM 2007, will hold a "Tourism Business Plan" contest that will mostly involve souvenir-based businesses.

Details of the program, to develop a muscle in the souvenir industry, however, still to be finalized, series of meetings and consultations will be held first, before the committee could formulate an effective developmental program for the industry.