Tuesday, October 16, 2007 Espina: Tourism in Bali By Mila C. Espina In My Diary
I was in Bali several years ago for a Women-In-Travel International Federation of Travel Women’s Organization Convention. Last Sept. 19-22, I revisited the place, curious about what happened after the Sars plague and the tsunami. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Indonesia invited me to present a paper on “The Challenges of Dealing with Local Communities: The Cebu experience” during the “Second Asean Tourism Investment Forum” held at the Ramada Bintang, Bali Hotel. It was attended by some 300 delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Japan and the Philippines. There were attendees from Australia, the US and Canada.
There was an added “Tour-Investment Expo,” where the Philippines (with the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp.) had a booth of huge posters about Bohol, Boracay, Davao, Subic, Palawan but none of Cebu. The reason given to me was that Cebu doesn’t need to be promoted! But I still think we should.
One of the speakers, James Murray, executive vice-president Southeast Asia Visa International Asia Pacific (Singapore), shared the insights he got from an international-wide survey where respondents listed 20 preferred destinations for leisure and investment. Most of the Southeast Asian countries were identified, even Cambodia, but the Philippines didn’t make it. Fortunately, Cebu was acknowledged as one of best destinations by some travel magazines.
The delegates were amazed at how the public and private sectors forge linkages to accelerate business and investment in Cebu. They were certainly convinced that our growth in tourism arrivals, a big contribution to the country’s economy, was largely due to a sustainable teamwork. We showcased the efforts of various chambers, like the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. (CCCI), in advocating incentives and initiatives for investment.
There were several resolutions passed, but I believe those concerning cross-cultural and economic partnerships in tourism and entrepreneurship were most relevant to CCCI’s thrusts. Likewise, the outlook on ecology, infrastructures, services and welfare was a good reference to most of the Asian countries. One resolution recommended the “waving of visas to Asian destinations.” There was a unanimous appeal to the different Asian destinations to augment their promotional schemes and exhaust all means to intensify marketing to entice investors. I told them how CCCI developed a specific brand for Cebu: Inspiring Cebu, to complement the national slogan of delineating the country as the “Heritage and Leisure” destination, which encompasses our beach, holidays, fiestas and historic landmarks. I mentioned how “Suro-suroy Sugbu” reinvented countryside tourism and why the South Reclamation Project is Cebu’s best seller for investment. Believe me, the delegates were chanting “Mabuhi, Cebu,” and “Inspiring Cebu” between sessions. I thank DOT 7, CCCI and Cebu Investments Promotion Center for some of the data I used in my paper.
Oh, yes, we had some few moments to tour Bali, an island of incredible mystery, beauty and variety. Their best assets are the beaches, temples, terraced ricefields and art. You’ll find hotels and resorts, a few shopping centers and heritage landmarks.
Kuta is the oldest district while Tuban has the upmarket malls and hotels. Inland toward the center of the island is the cultural capital of Ubud, site of galleries, shopping and natural attractions. We had a few hours to visit some temples but had the farewell dinner at the Pura Taman in Ayun, where we were served authentic cuisines. This temple attracts tourists because of its serene ambiance and preserved structures. It has an improvised stage for cultural performances.
I took Singapore Airlines all the way from Cebu to Bali, via Singapore, all aptly arranged by Cebu Fortune Travel, with land arrangements superbly handled by Luxury Tours. The Changi Airport has always been a friendly and convenient place, with so many aides speaking good English and giving instructions promptly when needed. I traveled to Singapore many times this year and had no major hitches. Park Hotel, located at the heart of Orchard Road, was just the right accommodation for our overnight stay; that’s why we had ample time to shop.
After a weeklong set of activities, we had “Asian Cruise,” which brought us to Penang, Malaysia, Phuket, Thailand and again Singapore; then the East Asia Torusim Forum in Changmai, Thailand, where Philippine Airlines gave us excellent route and extra-special service; and, the latest, Bali. It’s time to think of my socio-civic and academic commitments, and buckle down to work (as long as I still enjoy doing them). tourism-related activities A follow-up of the Cebu Business Month Asean Tourism Congress will see the academe active in the League of Tourism Educators and Students, a National Association of Independent Travel Agencies project, a revival of the Association of Tourism Educators of the Philippines; CCCI’s continued partnership with the Province and City of Cebu to advocate better tour facilities and services, the series of “Culture and Tourism” seminars; industry-academe linkage in tourism, information and communitcation technology, and entrepreneurship.
In support of the “Go Negosyo” projects, the Zonta Club I is maintaining a micro-financing project and day care for the livelihood and educational welfare of Budlaan as well a day care center in Ermita. A fund-raising project for these endeavors is a musical fashion diorama (with some tints of fun and spoof, called “Women Legends”) that will thrill us with the participation of prominent civic and business leaders, like Tina Ebrada, Chabeng Garcia, Amparito Lhuillier, Aida Uy, Lorna Quisumbing, Baby Schaap, Minnie Yuvienco, Julie Gandionco, Consul Armi Garcia, Honey Loop, Mariter Klepp, Carol Go, bessie Villamor, Angeles antigua, Melanie Ng, Tess Chan, Alice Woolbright, Nelia Neri, Matt Baguia, Mayen Tan, Joy Benedicto, Connie Cimafranca, Pauline Deduque, Stella Bernabe, Cely Chiogbian, and many others who will confirm participation soon. We conceptualized the theme in June, made some research and is presently at the thick of preparations.
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The Central Visayas Regional Tourism Congress reels off at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino come Oct. 11. The Cebu City Tourism Commission (CCTC) is holding series of consultative meetings to establish linkages. CCTC chairman Mike Rama announced that Cebu will see CCTC as the fulcrum of tourism promotion and growth in the City by having task forces to handle urgent concerns, like street lights, public toilets, clean surroundings, and the like. These issues have been aired many times in many tourism planning sessions and it is hoped the CCTC will succeed.
