IT was a resounding jubilation when some 206 or more stakeholders, academicians and community and government leaders unanimously understood and agreed that it was time we crafted a Cebu Brand to define its cutting edge and adopt it as an enticing marketing tool.
No less than Cebu Vice Governor and Tourism chairperson Agnes Magpale persuaded the selected group to know more of the assets of Cebu and brand it to the global market.
Resource speaker Tetta Baad, representing the Cebu City Tourism Commission, shared the survey made by Conde Nast Traveller (2013 Readers’ Choice), where Cebu landed in third place for “best island destinations,” with highest scores in friendliness (88.8), scenery (86) and beaches (83.5). This framework will certainly be a point of reference in creating the Cebu brand.
The Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) tourism committee, led by VP-EARD Bing Avila, MCE as tourism chair and president Tess Chan; Mega Cebu led by consultant Bobby Aboitiz and Carol Go; Team Philippines spearheaded by Bobby Joseph, Dawnie Roa and Ricky Tio; venue sponsor SM City Cebu with RJ Leduna, felt so fulfilled with this response as moderator Bunny Pages elicited the audience to share their own branding.
There will be more in-depth sessions to collate ideas, then, refine all suggested brands and then come up with a short list of five, which will be floated to the community.
Some brands which ensued from the audience participation were: Fun Cebu, Cebu: Capital of Smiles, Cebu Is It, Inspiring Cebu, Cebu, Where the Heart Sings, Cebu Is Home, You Are Cebu, Cebu Island of Smiles, Friendly Cebu, Cebu… Fun and Friendship, Cebu, Island Paradise, Cebu, Asia’s Friendliest, Explore Cebu, Cebeautiful, Vibrant Cebu, Dynamic Cebu, Cebu, Where “Forever” Is Real, Cebu Rocks, Cebu Shines and Smiles.
How about you? What is your brand? Send to mcespinternational@yahoo.com, or text 0917-320-7088.
The photos on this page capture the various insights shared by some discussants and audience.