Tuesday, January 08, 2008 Espina: Beijing visits Cebu By Mila C. Espina In My diary
THE Year of the Rat sees bright prospects for real estate and the metallic industry, or any ground-based ventures.
But tourism for Cebu continues to soar high despite some minor flops due to the Manila Penn Siege. Department of Tourism (DOT-7) Director Patria Aurora Roa predicts a considerable up trend in tourism arrivals, with Koreans staying on top of the chart. Honorary Consul of the Russian Federation Armi Garcia sees more productive trade ties with our local traders and hopes to enhance the fashion accessories as a global lifestyle item. Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (CCCI) Francis Monera maintains that the thrusts of information technology, tourism, and SME need to be expanded and the pursuance of making Cebu an ecozone in cooperation with the City and Province of Cebu will be a fertile ground for economic growth.
And here is the good news! The Cebu Business Month (CBM) has a new chairperson, the solicitous Tess Chan. The theme will focus on Cebu as a brand, not just the product. The Tourism Committee, which I head, will tackle the upgrading of the tourism human resources skills since Cebu’s best aces are the people. Thus, the fields of outsourcing, tour guiding, culture of tourism and professionalism in management organizations and systems in the new areas of tourism will take the limelight. The industry-academe linkage, involving the youth and young professionals, will take its place in making the Cebuano more adept and creative in promoting the best of Cebu.
The Tourism Slogan for 2008 is explore, excel, and expand. Explore the possibilities of honing potentialities and resources. Excel in communication and creative skills.
Expand the global competencies of the present and future key players. For the first time, CCCI and CBM discern the X-factor in tourism promotions: English, without neglecting the other languages, like Nippongo, Mandarin, Korean, among others.
Linkages will be in upswing. Come Jan. 21-25, the China Agricultural University (CAU), Beijing, will visit Cebu, particularly the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) to study curricular and faculty exchange programs.
The group, composed of academicians and performing artists, will do two shows and will tour Cebu. The DOT-7, Department of Foreign Affairs through the efforts of Usec. Francisco Benedicto and business stalwarts Joseph and Gloria Gaisano, Ramon Sebastian, Nonie Uy, and the Province and City of Cebu will host some important activities. Last April 2007, the USJ-R performing artists were invited to tour and do two shows in Beijing, sponsored by the CAU, one of the biggest schools and offers modern agri-business, management technology and the arts!
The 2007 Year-enders
Topping the list was the historic launching of the book, Cebu, pride of place at the lobby of the spacious Northwing, SM Complex. The publisher, Marisa Fernan, co-publisher Elvira Luym, art director and book designer Norrino Hernandez, photographer Billy Mondonedo won accolades for a work well executed. No less than President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and DOT Secretary Ace Durano honored the event, which Elo and Marisa Fernan considered a tribute to the late Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan, who dreamed of the best material to showcase Cebu. My friend Celing must be smiling up there.
We attended many holiday events and most memorable were those hosted by the Aboitizes, Marriott Hotel, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, We Care, Shangri-la, CCCI Year-ender, Kapwa Ko Anniverdary party, the Speechcom-Amparito Scholars Fellowship and the Tree Lighting at the Cebu International Convention Center because we saw gleeful children in our midst, some VIPs interacting with the guests and the genuine colors of Christmas. I would like to thank my friends who texted me with awesome messages and the tokens that went with them.
The year 2007 will always bring memories of the biggest Asian Summit, CCCI-CBM Tourism Roadshow spearheaded by Consul Sam Chison, the CBM International Tourism Congress, the phenomenal Zonta I Women Legends, Rotary 75th anniversary, Jaycees Convention, Women for Fashion Parade, the Revival of Bachelors Femina, the Diplomatic Corps/Zonta e3 Prade of Nations, the successful Suroy-Suroy Sugbu, the Ayala-Cebu Holdings Awards and launching of their expansion programs in Makati, the Sun.Star Cebu anniversary, the Press Freedom Week, glorious weddings, mall-product launching and concerts—too many to mention. Cebu was the venue of numerous trade exhibits, consular celebrations, sales missions, seminars with branding as the favorite topic .In this regard, CCCI developed its own tourism brand: inspiring Cebu! Religious and cultural festivities, like the Sinulog, Kabkaban, Lechonfest, among so many others, flourished as tourist attractions and the venue for promoting peace and friendship.
We all look forward to a healthier and happier 2008, keeping in mind the worthwhile values of our family, friends and, most of all, the Lord Almighty.
