Cebu’s tourism caravan ready to be replicated across PH
HOMETOWN FEST | Bolho Festival dancers perform in front of the Patrocinio de Santa Maria Parish Church in Boljoon, Cebu, during the “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” last month. The word “bolho” is derived from water sprouting from the ground, such as brooks and streams, which can be found in Boljoon. (Photo by DALE G. ISRAEL / Inquirer Visayas)
CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — In preparation for the nationwide implementation of a tourism program that started in Cebu, regional tourism directors across the country will be joining the next leg of “Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.”
Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said she was informed by her daughter, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, about the development in a bid to help local governments promote lesser-known tourism sites.
The next Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, which will bring tourists to the northern part of the island, will be held on the weekend after the Sinulog festival in January.
“Secretary Christina has directed all regional directors for the entire country to join so that they will be able to see exactly how it is done. So that they may be able to immerse themselves in the Suroy-Suroy experience,” Garcia said.
“Suroy-Suroy Sugbo” is a Cebuano phrase that means “wandering in Cebu,” a program started in 2005 by Garcia.
Aside from a group tour package covering particular towns and their destinations, participants also get to see and experience the festivals of each town as well as their delicacies.
Among those eager to replicate the program is Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado.
According to Garcia, she is willing to show the way for the neighboring province of Bohol to implement a similar tourism program.
“I am flattered that he would also look at the program that has been so successful in promoting our towns and cities outside of the Metro Cebu area and in promoting our natural tourism sites as well as our heritage sites and the culture of the Cebuanos,” Garcia said.
Collaboration
According to Frasco, there are beautiful tourist destinations in the country which deserve equal attention, promotion, and assistance from the national government.
“Cebu has shown the benchmark for the effectiveness of tourism governance, including (its) Suroy-Suroy Sugbo (program). So this is something that is worth emulating and replicating throughout the country. We will study it closely in the hope of bringing attention to lesser-known tourist destinations in the Philippines,” she said.
Under her watch, Frasco said there would be more collaboration with local officials so they could explore areas where the Department of Tourism could help.
“I am now offering the hand of collaboration to all tourism stakeholders, all local officials across the country for us to work together, to not only reclaim the Philippines’ standing in the global stage but exceed it,” she said.
“It is my hope that by building bridges of collaboration, we can generate boundless opportunities for livelihood, employment and business that puts the success of every tourism stakeholder front and center of our agenda,” Frasco added.
