Espina: What’s up at the Tourism Congress?
-A A +AMonday, June 18, 2012
RECENT surveys showed Camarines Sur topping the tourism arrivals; Cebu was third.
The Cebu Chamber Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Tourism Congress, scheduled at 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, June 28, at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC); and the Tourism Congress Night, 6–10 p.m., June 28, at the Marco Polo Hotel, will look into Cebu’s basic services and issues needed to support the “More Fun In Cebu” promotions and regain the number one position.
Cathay Pacific’s 20 years of excellent service, will also be launched with CX manager Maggie Wong and country manager Martin Xu.
So, how do we make Cebu clean, safe and beautiful as well as competitive and competent? It is as basic as upgrading its airport, land, air and shipping facilities and management; coping with delayed flights; facilitating better check-in and baggage claim management; creating infrastructures like good and accessible roads and bridges to reach more countryside landmarks; strengthening the culture of tourism; developing tourism clusters ; decorating well-lighted streets; sharing a beautiful, clean and pollution-free environment; implementing safety and security; strengthening more international routes and crafting new, attractive tourism packages and marketing.
Our long-team Turismo Sugbu will present selected creative tourism in selected municipalities. All these will make Cebu competitive in raising its tourism arrivals.
But, we need maximum support from both public and private sectors.
All these and more will be discussed when tourism and travel stakeholders, socio-civic , business, investment, academe, local government units, media and frequent travelers put their heads together to discuss and offer alternative options to make “More Fun in Cebu” really work!
The distinguished speakers, panelists and resource persons are headed by Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, Mayor Michael Rama, Cebu City Tourism chair Margot Osmena, DOT Asec Domingo Ramon Enerio, chair, Tourism Promotions and Marketing, Vice-DOT Gov. Agnes Magpale, Dawnie Roa (CVCB), Jay Aldeguer (Island Group companies/Creative Cebu), Ed Nuque (Tourism consultant), Bobby Joseph (Naitas), Dondie Joseph (Cebu Business Club), Martin Xu (CM, Cathay Pacific), Felix Cruz (VP-Marketing,PAL), Nigel Paul Villarete (MCIA), Dr. Amelia Biglete (Ched 7), Chief Supt. Marcelo Garbo, Jr. (PNP), Ahmed Cuizon, director, LTCRB, Marget Villarica (Cato/CTTA), Hans Hauri (Hrrac), Ted Locson (CCCI), Bobit Avila (Freeman/Philippine Star), and others.
What is new this year is the participation of jetsetters, tourists and frequent travelers to and from Cebu who will give a very realistic picture of tourism from their own perspectives. One highlight of the tourism event will be the selection of the best of the “More Fun In Cebu” poster contest finalists by a panel of judges composed of Edu Jarque and Honey Loop of Philippine Star, Mayen Tan of The Freeman, Jay Neri of Sun.Star Cebu, Consul Jaime Picornell of Cebu Daily News and Phil. Daily Inquirer, Lyndon Gabato from Amazing Cebu, Ann Marie Tan of GMA 7, Dawnie Roa of 888/Cebu Visitors Convention Bureau, Prudencio Gesta (CCCI president), and others for confirmation.
The Grand Tourism Award will be conferred on Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for her more than a decade of tourism leadership; Tourism Man of the Year, each to Consul Robert Lim Joseph and Jay Aldeguer for sustainable tourism advocacies; Plaque of Distinction to Consul Jaime Picornell for his 50 years of media practice and involvement in arts and culture.
At the helm of the tourism events are CCCI president Prudencio Gesta, past president Samuel Chioson, VP-external affairs Ted Locson, CCCI tourism chair Dr. Mila C. Espina, CBM tourism chair Tess Chan, CBM chair Mario Panganiban, tourism executive committee members Melanie Ng, Jenny Franco, Joy Pollozo, Cherrypie Callelero , Dawnie Roa, Cecille Saa, Grace Paulino, Marissa Fernan, Amazing Cebu, Speechcom International, Naitas, Cato, CTTA, Hrrac and Ann Marie Tan of GMA 7.
Published in the Sun.Star Cebu newspaper on June 19, 2012.
Lifestyle
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