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Saturday, August 19, 2006
DOT to check readiness of resorts, hotels for Asean summit in Dec.
The Department of Tourism will start inspecting next month hotels and resorts in Cebu that have promised to upgrade facilities for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) summit in December.
Tourism Undersecretary Phineas Alburo said the inspection is meant to “validate the rooms they committed and to inspect their facilities.”
He said 3,747 rooms and suites are estimated to be reserved from Dec. 8 to 14, in relation to the Asean summit.
Although the number of official foreign delegations is expected to be between 3,000 and 4,000, Alburo is confident the province can still accommodate the influx of foreign visitors since some rooms will hold two or three visitors.
“We’re still good. That’s why I’m asking the different establishments to submit requirements so that we still have time to sort out additional rooms if needed,” he said.
Re-schedule
These establishments include different hotels, resorts and “some good pension houses.”
In an interview with Sun.Star Cebu, Alburo suggested that travel agents and hotel operators advice their principals abroad to re-schedule trips to Cebu that are scheduled between Dec. 8 and 14 to avoid “over influx” of visitors in the province.
“It’s not (that we’re) stopping them from coming over but we want to make sure they will not have a hard time,” he said.
Alburo also assured that transportation for all local and foreign delegates “will not be a problem” as taxi operators and rent-a-car drivers will undergo training to ensure they are “well-versed” in tourist destinations.
As an incentive to those who will attend the seminar in relation to the Asean summit, he said only those who participated in it will be allowed to pick up passengers at hotels, airport and malls.
Alburo said in addition to the upcoming Asean summit, a “back-to-back” summit is also expected in December as 600 businessmen from the private sector will be attending the Asean Business and Investment Summit.
Alburo also assured that “attractive” pre- and post-tour packages will be offered to the delegates, who will not only get a chance to see more of the province but the entire Philippines.
“The Asean summit (will bring) positive result (for) tourism. This is the best opportunity to show what Cebu can offer,” he added. (MMM)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (August 19, 2006 issue)
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