Asian SKAL prexies visit Cebu

Several SKAL presidents of various Asian chapters have arrived yesterday in Cebu for a three-day visit to sign twin-sister arrangements with SKAL-International Cebu chapter as headed by its president Charles Lim.

According to Lim, invitations have been sent out to the SKAL heads based in Hong Kong, Singapore, Taipei, Thailand and Malaysia whose countries have direct air linkages with Cebu for better accessibility and transfers for the delegates.

Lim said that the SKAL heads have been invited to Cebu in celebration of SKAL’s anniversary today. “This will serve as the introduction of Cebu to other SKAL clubs in Asia, as well.”

He also stated that Tourism Secretary Ace Durano has assured him of the all-out support of the DOT office by way of funding and hosting expenses, to be incurred by the Cebu chapter.

Also expected to attend are the various leaders of the four SKAL clubs based in the Philippines;  namely, Makati, Manila, Davao and Bacolod.

Four SKAL-Cebu member/establishments are due to host the various lunch and dinner arrangements for the SKAL VIPs this month-end. These are Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, and Plantation Bay Resort and Spa.

A special city tour has been arranged for the SKAL heads to highlight Cebu’s cultural and historical landmarks in order to acquaint the guests with a backgrounder of Cebu as the oldest city of the Philippines.

Meanwhile, Lim also revealed that SKAL-International Cebu was also asked to host the SKAL National Congress to be held this June 2008. This event involves the five SKAL chapters based in Manila, Makati, Davao, Bacolod, and Cebu.

Lim said plans are afoot for the SKAL National Congress to be held in conjunction with the Philippine International Tourism Fair, or PITF, to be held this June 25-28 at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

“This will enable the SKAL Congress to have a more solid base since the PITF is already an important component of the Cebu Business Month (CBM) as spearheaded by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI). We hope to adapt the built-in market

Hembler Mendoza, general manager of the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino, has been appointed as chair of the event. Ann Olalo, Director of Sales and Marketing of Cebu City Marriott Hotel, heads the committee on accommodations.

SKAL is a professional organization of tourism leaders around the world which promotes global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all sectors of the travel and tourism industry. Its members are the decision-makers who meet to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.

SKAL International today has approximately 22,000 members in 500 Clubs throughout 90 nations. Most activities occur at local level, moving up through National Committees, under the umbrella of Skål International, headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain.