"More fun in Cebu" advocacy gets boost in CBM 2012

CEBU, Philippines - With tourism as one of its major advocacies, Tourism Congress in this year’s Cebu Business Month will tackle the current progress and issues of the Cebu’s tourism, to be attended by major players and stakeholders of the industry.

In order to strongly promote “More Fun in Cebu”, CBM Tourism 2012 Chair Maria Teresa Chan said that participants of the congress will discuss further on the status of services such as security, safety, sanitation, creative tour packages, facilities and infrastructure offered by establishments including airports, hotels, restaurants, resorts, travel and tour agencies.

Involving various sectors of the community such as the government and the academe, she added that the Tourism Congress will also tackle new perspectives and concerns that will sustain the tourism programs of the country.

She noted that this time, Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry has invited more travelers and tourists, particularly from the socio-economic sector, to balance the insight of the industry and local government.

“It has always been the hope of CCCI to complement our efforts with the local and national government in taking Cebu to another notch in quality and standard,” she stated.

With the theme “Tourism: Sustaining Growth and Global Presence”, the congress, to be held on June 28, aims to create and support tourism programs, sustain promotion and growth of tourism and expand Cebu’s global presence in the market.

CCCI President Prudencio Gesta, on the other hand, said that the continuous efforts of all partners from the government and the private sector will strengthen the value of tourism in Cebu.

With the conceptualization of the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” as the institution of tourism activity in Cebu and “Turismo sa Sugbo”, he added that such partnership advocates a brand of tourism and culture in Cebu.

With further collaboration in long-term activities, he said that working together with the government and the academe in the promotion of the best things in Cebu shall contribute to the province’s growth and progress.

“Nobody will have better Cebu than Cebuano themselves and Cebuanos by choice,” Gesta stated.

Meanwhile, one of the projects in CBM includes a month-long poster contest from May 15 – June 15 in line with the national tourism slogan “It’s More Fun in the Philippines”.

CCCI Tourism Chair Moderator Milagros Espina said that the competition focuses on distinctive tourism landmarks, products and events of Cebu that are yet to be explored.

Serving as a creative awareness and networking, she added entries of the photo contest must be in accordance with the theme “More Fun in Cebu”.

With a total rating coming from the delegates and the panel of judges for the best three entries, she then encouraged the public to expose their artistry and promote Cebu tourism at the same time. — (FREEMAN)