Proposed AVP on tour guiding earns DOT support

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s bid to pilot the creation of Audio-Visual-Presentation (AVP) for Tour Guiding has earned the support of the Department of Tourism (DOT).

Cebu tourism promoter Bobby Lim Joseph, who initiated the concept, said that he had an informal talk with DOT secretary Ramon Jimenez on this plan, however, the project should be started first by the private sector, in order for DOT to give its formal support.

Joseph said Cebu tourism private sector stakeholders, led by the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas-Cebu) has already created a group to focus on this project, which is initially called “TEAM-Cebu” or Tourism Educators, Advocates and Movers—Cebu.

The group will be chaired by former DOT-7 regional director Patria Aurora Roa, and will soon start the creation of the Tour Guiding script as well as choose the right production outfit to do the video.

Joseph earlier pledged to give P500,000 for the creation of the AVP on Tour Guiding in Cebu, that will be translated initially in 20 languages, such as Korean, Japanese, Mandarin-Chinese, German, French, Arabic, Spanish, among others.

Also, Joseph said the team will also meet up with the tour guides in Cebu, and will first select the best tour guides, who will be given this video, to be re-produced in DVD forms or flash drive, of which copies will be sold to tourists.

Joseph expressed confidence of Cebu’s huge potential to excel in tourism, more any other destinations in the Philippines. He said it is high time that the private sector will have to make initiatives and start helping the government by creating programs, and projects that will further push Cebu to its potential in tourism advantage.

With the approval of the DOT secretary on this project, Joseph is confident that more institutions will give its support in terms of funding the production of the improved Tour Guiding service in Cebu, which will be the first in the Philippines.

He believes that Cebu could hit the six million tourist arrivals in short term, specifically if it were to make double efforts and promotion in attracting the international and local MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibition) markets.

The creation of the AVP on Tour Guiding he said will put Cebu ahead of the other destinations in the Philippines, thereby sustaining its position as the “center for tourism” in the Philippines.

If this project works, he said other destinations in the country may follow suit, said Joseph who is also the chairman of Naitas.

Although, there is already an existing script for the history of Cebu’s famous landmarks, Joseph said the project will also try to improve and update the facts, in working closely with National Historical Commission, and local government units (LGUs).

Aside from providing easier work for tour guides, this AVP on Tour Guiding will also serve as reference for schools, specifically those that are offering tourism related courses, he said. (FREEMAN)