Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Espina: Cebu Asean Tourism Congress 2007 By Mila C. Espina In my Diary
ALL lines are busy preparing for the Cebu Asean Tourism Congress, on June 14-15, at the Cebu International Convention Center. The theme, Tour Cebu, attempts to gather as many insights from local and foreign key players on how to brand Asian destinations; in our case, Cebu!
An International Media Forum, slated 2-5 p.m., June 15, after the closing plenary of the congress, invites local and foreign correspondents to make the media the viable channel to market destinations.
Some speakers who already confirmed are Shannon Sweeney, editor, CEI (Singapore); Nancy Tan, managing director, Ace Daytons direct international, (Singapore); Kum Hoong Kong, manager-Phils, Silkair; David Co, director, MCI-Singapore; Narz Lim; Consul Robert Lim Joseph; David de Jesus (Thailand Tourism); Jose Marie del Rosario (Microtel); Dexter Dayton of Paseo; Avelino Zapanta, CEO SEAIR, Michael Hamlin of Team Asia; Margie Logarta, editor, Business Traveler; Tim Wright, Shangri-La; Eddie Khong, Cathay Pacific; Prof. Won-Gui-Hwang (Korea, EATOF); Dr. Wiendu Nuryanti, executive director, Yogyakarta Tourism Development (Indonesia), also EATOF; Marisa Nallana, honorary secretary, AFECA, and more are being followed up. The idea is to assimilate as many Asian insights to gain wider perspectives.
Our very own pacesetters Governor Gwendolyn Garcia, Mayor Tomas Osmeña; CCTC chairman, Vice Mayor Mike Rama; Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano; DOT-7 director Dawnie Roa; DOT Usec Phineas Alburo; DFA-Usec Francisco Benedicto; Board Member Agnes Magpale and the officers of C Association of Travel Operators, Cebu Travel and Tour Association, Skal, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies, Women in Travel-Cebu (International Federation of Travel Women’s Organization), Cebu Association of Tour Guides, HRRAC, the media, and the academe (Commission on Higher Education Region 7 led all the schools) will be present to all the more make the events meaningful.
So far, sponsors are pouring in: event co-presentors are the DOT, Casino Filipino – Cebu, Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau and Speechcom International, Inc. who are planning and managing every detail of the events in tandem with TeamAsia.
Event sponsors are Cathay Pacific, Silkair, Veco, Café Laguna; co-sponsors are the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino, Cebu City Marriott Hotel, Plantation Bay, Chateau D’ Busay, Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Hilton Cebu Resort and Spa, Eddie’s Hotel, EVA AIR, Maribago Bluewater Beach Resort, Montebello Villa Hotel, Parklane Hotel, Crown Regency, Island Souvenirs Ching Palace and the list continues.
The International Media Forum has likewise invited local/national and foreign media to discuss issues and concerns.
The Ceby Chamber of Commerce and Industry Cebu Pacific Tourism information and communications technology (ICT) Asean Roadshows in Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, Thailand, Malaysia, Beijing and Taiwan preceded the Cebu Business Month CBM) opening salvo hosted by Ayala, May 4, fully covered by media partners ABS-CBN, RCTC, Cebu 28, Sun.Star Cebu, Freeman, Cebu Daily News, Business Mirror, Business World, Manila Standard Today, Manila Bulletin, Alcordo and Graphic Arts, Y101-Cebu.
*** The CBM in Malaysia Roadshow
The Malaysian Roadshow was most fruitful. Commercial counselor, Deo A. Reyes, of the Philippine Trade and Investment Center, ably assisted by director Louie Brigida Quero-Lee, did an excellent job preparing the itinerary that brought the two-man CBM-ICT team face-to-face with key decision-makers of Malaysia’s ICT Industry.
Also very instrumental in organizing the trip to Malaysia was Cebu Educational Development Foundation for information technology (CEDF-IT) member, Jeff Christopher of Infromation for Competitive Advantage(Ifca)-Push Technologies, a Malaysian-based company that recently established operations in the Philippines. Jeff’s kind help enabled the CBM-ICT committee even greater access to important players in the private sector.
Pratheep Kumar Arumugan, channel manager of Ifca, welcomed the CBM-ICT team and made sure that all went smooth with the visit.
Jonathan Corners and Boni Belen also had the opportunity to interact with Malaysian-based IT professionals and their companies such as Red 1 of Adempiere; Ravan of RANN Consulting, Chai Kim Sin of Avantz Solutions, and Elayne Kong of Quantum Beez.
In Malaysia, Boni Belen also spoke at length about the Cebu Business Month and the CBM Asean Tourism Congress.
A special meeting with the ICT Department of the University of Malaysia (UM) was likewise arranged by commercial counselor, Deo Reyes. This meeting was an eye-opener for Boni Belen, considering the vast experience of CEDF-IT in bridging the gap between academe and industry. It was clear from the onset of the meeting with the faculty of the University of Malaysia that Malaysia, and in like manner, Singapore and Thailand, could profit much by “embedding” the CEDF-IT model.
The dean and faculty of the ICT Department of the UM were quite impressed with how Cebu industry and academe work together through CEDF-IT in providing better quality and quantity of HR professionals in view of the shared vision of transforming Cebu into an ICT hub.
