Monday, May 05, 2008 Lapu tourism commission loses official
THE Lapu-Lapu City Tourism Commission will lose another official effective today.
The resignation of Sharon Samarista-Beigel as a tourism commissioner since 2005 was considered by commission chairman Damian Gomez a loss for the City because Beigel has been instrumental in the increased participation of hotels and resorts in “Kadaugan sa Mactan” celebrations.
Beigel will be moving to Qatar.
“She is one of our pillars and it really saddens us that she has to leave because of her tour of duty,” Gomez said.
Beigel, who is director for communications of Shangri-la’s Mactan Island Resort and Spa, has helped convinced hotel and resort owner to share their resources during Kadaugan sa Mactan celebrations.
In 2005, the celebration had 18 hotels participating, showcasing their menu in a Food Festival. The number increased to 20 in 2007 and 25 in this year’s celebration.
Beigel said foods that hotels showcase in the Food Festivals are sold at cheaper prices. The Food Festival has proven to be among the attractions in the celebrations, aside from the reenactment of the historic battle.
“This is our sector’s contribution to Lapu-Lapu’s tourism and every time the hotels would join, they don’t think of making profit. They just join for the sake of promoting the city,” she said in a separate talk.
Mayor Arturo Radaza and members of the City Council handed Beigel last Wednesday a plaque for her contribution in promoting the city as a prime tourist destination in the country. (AIV)
