Delegates to the Tourism Congress shared this observation as they called on stakeholders in the private sector and government to clear the sidewalks of vendors and debris in order to lure in more domestic and foreign tourists.
The event held as part of Cebu Business Month (CBM) also featured a presentation of Cebu City’s major tourism events and a host of festivals.
Councilor Margot Osmeña, chair of the council’s tourism committee, said these are aimed at lending prominence to the city’s recent designation as Asean City of Culture.
Russian Consul Armi Garcia said while foreigners are adventure-seekers who love to go out and walk around, they are unable to fully enjoy their experience due to the dismal conditions of Metro Cebu’s sidewalks and public places.
She said tourists would even agree to venture to public markets to buy local fibers.
But Garcia said guides would think twice about bringing them there because of the unsightly condition of the public markets.
Ted Locson, District Governor of Rotary Club Fuente, said action has been taken to clean up the city such as the beautification and cleanup projects initiated in Osmeña Boulevard, Sanciangko St. and Capitol area.
Congress participants called for training guides on a tourist spot’s history and creation of a central information center where tourists and even locals can obtain information on the tourist destinations in Cebu and its neighboring provinces.
Samuel Chioson, president of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said they plan to set up a brochure and information booth at the Mactan Cebu International Airport to entertain inquiries on Cebu’s tourism sites.
Later in a speech to participants of the Tourism Congress Night at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama said Cebuanos and their visitors can expect more from the city’s tourism programs such as their ongoing beautification campaign.
Cebu City Hall and the Capitol have pooled efforts to beautify Fuente Osmeña and Osmeña Boulevard, including roads leading to the Provincial Capitol.
A beautification committee chaired by philanthropist Margarita Salimbangon-Yeung is also working to improve Cebu City’s downtown area.
Two malls and a fastfood area located in downtown Colon are also reminded to clear their area of debris owing to their proximity to a creek (see page 2).
Later, Councilor Margot Osmeña cited the awarding of Cebu City as a City of Culture by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Ministers of Culture and Arts.
Osmeña, who chairs the council tourism committee, said the awarding to be held on July 15 at the Radisson Blu Hotel will place Cebu City prominently in the global tourism map.
The councilor said this will be followed by a cultural presentation at the Plaza Independencia and a dinner at the Malacañang sa Sugbo.
A “City of Culture” logo will be placed at the Friendship Park in Talamban the following day.
“This is a real honor for us because this is the first time that this award is given and the Philippines is the first to receive this,” she said.
Osmeña said the council recognizes that much needs to be done for the city’s tourism sector including improving infrastructure and security.
“What we are urging you guys, the stakeholders, is to also take your initiative. Tell us where we should and could come in,” Osmeña said.
The councilor also outlined the city government’s plans to hold a mooncake festival and a Korean themed festival to honor the city’s thriving Korean community.
The mooncake festival to be held in September is named after the famed Chinese snack.
The two-day Korean Festival to be held on Sept. 30 to Oct. 1 this year, will consist of a Korean pop musical, a singing contest, beauty pageant and a food festival.
Osmeña said these events along with previous staples like the Sinulog will draw in tourists to the Queen City of the South.
She cited in particular the first Cebu City Chinese Festival last February and the 8th Visayas Mountain Festival in Cebu City’s hinterland barangays. With Correspondent Fatrick Tabada