PB declares tourism advocate as Cebu's adopted son

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board has declared tourism advocate, Robert Lim Joseph, as an adopted son of the Province of Cebu.

The PB passed a resolution sponsored by Vice Governor Agnes Magpale, who heads the committee on tourism and international affairs, during their regular session last Monday.

“His being a Manilan is not a hindrance for his love of Cebu as shown in his strong advocacies for tourism projects that have greatly benefited the province,” the resolution reads.

Joseph, fondly called Bobby by his friends, is a native of Manila and a successful businessman, entrepreneur and is the Honorary Consul-General of the Republic of Latvia. 

He is the chairman emeritus of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (NAITAS).

“With the way Mr. Robert Lim Joseph pushed for the promotion and development of Cebu’s tourism, we feel he deserves not only the appreciation and gratitude of the Cebuanos, but a special recognition that he is a Cebuano in spirit and in heart,” the resolution further reads.

His achievements and contributions include initiating and mounting the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Philippine International Tourism Forum, back to back with the national convention of NAITAS.

He initiated the organization of the League of Tourism Students of the Philippines whose three consecutive national conventions in 2008, 2009 and 2010 were held in Cebu.

Joseph founded the 888 News Forum in 2005, now being held every Tuesday at the Marco Polo Plaza, which serves as a vehicle for tourism promotion of Cebu.

He encouraged and sponsored the participation of tourism students from other parts of the country in several segments of Suroy-Suroy Sugbo tours, a rural tourism program of the Province of Cebu.

He actively joined the Department of Tourism in Japan through the Japan World Tourism Congress promoting Cebu in particular as a tourist destination.

Joseph founded the Tourism Educators and Movers (TEAM Philippines) in Cebu, thus organizing the 73 schools and colleges in Cebu offering tourism as well as Hotel and Restaurant Management programs, and the free distribution of the manual of operations for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions during the MICECON 2010 at the Cebu International Convention Center.

Joseph, in a text message to The FREEMAN, expressed thanks to the PB members but he is expected to issue his official statement during the 888 News Forum on Tuesday.  (FREEMAN)