Thursday, December 25, 2008 Group eyes ‘mice’ to boost Cebu tourism as visitor arrivals decline
THE Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau (CVCB) intends to promote the province as an ideal destination for meetings, incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (Mice).
CVCB chairman Jay Aldeguer said the Mice industry will help boost tourism in the country, especially now that the sector is beginning to feel the effects of the global financial crisis.
The National Economic and Development Authroity (Neda) 7 recently reported that tourism in Central Visayas is still performing well but the crisis is beginning to create an impact on the industry as visitor arrivals in the region are starting to slow down.
Although the CVCB is currently “inactive,” Aldeguer said that it will approach institutions, such as the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Provincial Government, for help after it will reorganize its membership and thrusts.
He said that the group would also organize events that cater to other foreign markets that the DOT is trying to reach out to, such as the Russians.
He added that they would also have to generate seed money for the reactivation of the bureau and present proposals to its board and officers.
CVCB, the first private-sector-led tourism marketing organization in Cebu, was launched in 2002 with the goal of creating events that will encourage foreign and local tourists to come to Cebu. It also bids for conventions and other international events that are seen to boost the local tourism industry.
In 2004, the bureau had about 130 members that included airlines, hotels, resorts, shipping companies, publications, travel agencies, restaurants and tourism-related services. (NRC)
