5,000 Kuwaitis coming to Cebu to study - DOT

CEBU, Philippines – Department of Tourism (DOT) regional director Dawnie Roa yesterday said at least 5,000 Kuwaiti nationals are expected to arrive in Cebu next week to take up courses in different local universities.

“There would be an increase in our revenue from this,” Roa said during the 888 News Forum held at Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino yesterday afternoon.

Last week, President Arroyo signed into law the Tourism Act of 2009 that will increase tourism infrastructure in the country.

Republic Act 9593, or the Tourism Act of 2009, outlines a policy for tourism as an engine for investment, employment and national growth. It also seeks to strengthen the operations of DOT and its attached agencies.

Meanwhile, Cebu Provincial Board Member Agnes Magpale, chair of the PB committee on tourism, said those visiting Kuwaiti nationals would be invited to the “Suroy-suroy Sugbo.”

Magpale said that “Suroy-suroy sa Sugbo” is the best form of advertisement made by Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to promote Cebu to the world.

DOT records showed that for the first quarter of this year, Cebu had the most number of tourist arrivals in the country.

There were 422,239 tourists who came to Cebu from January to March this year, surpassing the figures for Boracay and Davao.

On the other hand, Roa talked about selling Cebu in Dubai, the financial center of United Arab Emirates.

Cebu’s strategic location as gateway to the rest of the country will be easier for tour operators to create inter-island linkages and tourism packages.

“If we sell Cebu, then Bohol and other neighboring provinces will benefit from the spill over of tourists.” Roa said. - Johanna T. Natavio/LPM (THE FREEMAN)