Cebu and Swaziland eye MOU on tourism

CEBU, Philippines - The Province of Cebu and the Kingdom of Swaziland, which is found between South Africa and Mozambique, will be entering into a Memorandum of Understanding in line with the promotion of tourism and other sectors in both parties.

During a press conference yesterday held in the Cebu International Convention Center in celebration of the opening of the One Cebu Exhibit, Macford Sibanze, tourism minister of Swaziland said that they will be signing a MOU with the province as they see how Cebu has excelled in its promotion of tourism as well as other industries.

Sibanze explained that since the visit of Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to Swaziland last year, they have been having a good relationship with Cebu.

He said that the MOU is now in the works and they are trying to include other sectors as well like the Education and IT. 

They have already talked with the Department of Tourism and Provincial Board member Agnes Magpale, the chairwoman of the committee of Tourism and travel operators, on how to help promote the tourism of their country.

Sibanze said that just like Cebu, Swaziland is known for its rich culture and is an amazing place for adventure. He said that they wish to promote this just like how Cebu has successfully promoted the whole province.

He also said that they are also very impressed with the attitude of the Cebuanos and how they would like to learn more from Cebu in terms of giving quality service to the customers, especially the tourists.

“We are so impressed with how you have given importance to Cebu and the people here are very nice and courteous,” he added.

Included in the MOU that Cebu and Swaziland will be entering in is the training of personnel or students from their country in tourism and service management.

Sibanze shared that as of now, there are no schools or universities in their country that has this training and they are very optimistic that the training here is very good and competent.

Also, Sibanze, DOT regional director Donny Roan, Magpale and some of Cebu’s Travel operators also met to talk on packages that can be arranged to send more tourists from their country to Cebu and vice-versa.

Sibanze said that they are now working on the visa processing of tourists who would want to go to their place as presently these are hard to acquire.

Sibanze also said there is no security problem in their country and they have hotels that can accommodate tourists.

Sibanze and Magpale said that the MOU would hopefully be signed within this year after other sectors will also be included and they will also get pointers from the other industries. — AJ de la Torre/BRP (THE FREEMAN)