CEBU, Philippines - Tourism stakeholders in Cebu are set to strengthen the six sub-sectors deemed as the front liners and visitor-drawer of the tourism industry.
These six sub-sectors include; food tourism, sports and adventure tourism, culture and heritage, education (English and Outsourcing), and entertainment and performing arts.
Extensive discussions and learning sessions on the concerns of these sectors will be tackled during the Tourism Congress 2009, which is a major highlight of the Cebu Business Month (CBM 2009) this June.
Tourism committee chairperson Mila Espina said there is a need to reinforce the courage of the players in these identified sectors, in order to strengthen Cebu’s tourism industry, especially that the world is challenged by economic problems.
Tapping the players of these sectors will not be limited within the Metro Cebu areas, but will cover the entire province, enriching the “Suroy-Suroy sa Sugbu” concept.
According to Espina, the committee will reach out to tourism players in the entire province of Cebu, as well as empowering the Local Government Units (LGUs) in each town across the province, to take tourism seriously as huge revenue contributor and provider of jobs.
The concept of countryside tourism will be given an utmost focus this year, she said. Players will be given professional perspective by experts in taking advantage of this opportunity.
Likewise, Espina said the Tourism Congress, which will banner the theme “Explore Cebu!” will also highlight on how to capture the active domestic tourism, which is also regarded as the “savior” of tourism sector, while the foreign market is softening.
Espina said this year’s Tourism Congress will give industry players a boost to tap the countryside tourism potential, by bringing together government and private sector players in the entire Cebu province.
In an earlier interview, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas-Cebu) president Jenny Franco said that travel operators in Cebu are now starting to take advantage of the tourism-wealth offered by countryside attractions in the province, particularly its rich history, culture and heritage.
Also during the Congress, which will be held on June 19, 2009 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC) will feature a panel discussion on how Cebu could get inspired with novel and lucrative tourism ventures to deal with current economic situations.
Espina said the maiden episode of the PEOPLE (People Enhancing Opportunities, Propelling Leadership Excellence) will also be highlighted during the event.
According to Espina, the Philippines Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry CBM Tourism will showcase the yet undiscovered role models and success stories in the industry and the academe in the year-long PEOPLE program. —Ehda M. Dagooc