Tuesday, July 08, 2008 Espina: Gwen to tour confab: explore the undiscovered By Mila C. Espina In my diary
GOV. Gwen Garcia poised a challenge to some 600 delegates of the 2008 Tourism Congress held on June 25 at the CICC.
“Go out beyond the metropolis and see the unexplored resources of the countryside. Let Suroy Suroy sa Sugbu take you to the entrepreneurial skills of the towns’ folks and breathe fresh air with ecology at its best!”
In the insightful panel discussions, the speakers reiterated the call of the Governor and at the same time stressed the need for effective human infrastructures for a better delivery of service.
l Felix Cruz (Philippine Airlines or PAL): As PAL upgrades its facilities and services, we will need highly skilled manpower.
l Manny Gonzalez and Raymond Bragg (Plantation Bay and Shangri-La): Hotels and resorts need personnel with skills and proper attitude and values.
l Consul Bobby Joseph (National Association of Independent Travel Agencies or Naitas): Service goes with commitment and dedication.
l DOT 7 Director Dawnie Roa: Tour guides combine knowledge, good communication skills and ethics and decorum.
l Andrew King (International Development Program): Filipinos should speak simple English.
l Dr.Tina Barba (Commission of Higher Education or Ched 7): The current curriculum integrates tourism, culture and English proficiency.
l Dr.Delia Mediano (PowerDevelopment): Good nurses promote tourism abroad.
l Oscar Tuason (Cebu Doctor’ University): Cebu has prospects for medical tourism but needs accredited facilities and experts.
l Agnes Bognot (Naitas): There is big money in shopping and souvenir packaging
l Joy Dompor (Serenity) and Johnie Lim (Body and Sole): Wellness and spa skills demand scientific expertise and good health values.
l Consul Armi Garcia (honorary consul of the Russian Federation): Cebu needs a one-stop showcase of our human and material resources.
l Joey Reyes (PowerSpeak): Leadership needs proper mind-setting and motivation.
l Isah Red (Manila Standard): Cebu has great talents in the performing arts who need refinements and exposure.
l Thelma San Juan (Philippine Daily Inquirer): Aside from its creative people, Cebu has a wealth of natural and man-made resources that must be highlighted.
l Lydia Castillo (Philippine Starweek): Good service and skills grow out of a focused tourism vision.
As a whole, the 2008 Tourism Congress succeeded in making the key players realize that the people can make or unmake the future of the tourism industry and that human infrastructures are the indispensable elements of effective management and service.
