DOT-7 chief sets meeting with tourism stakeholders

Newly appointed Department of Tourism (DOT-7) regional director Shalimar Hofer Tamano is set to meet up with tourism stakeholders in Cebu next week for dialogue.

"We're trying to meet with CATOS [Cebu Alliance of Tour Operator Specialists], CTTA [Cebu Travel and Tours Association], Balik Cebu and other groups next week," Shalimar said yesterday.

Tamano already started meeting up with the Bohol tourism stakeholders. Similar meetings will also be held in Negros Oriental and Siquijor.

Upon assuming as DOT-7 regional director, Tamano was directed by DOT secretary Wanda Teo to forge closer coordination with the private sector in Cebu and other parts of the region, in order to connect with the industry and know how the government can be of support — effectively.

Already, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) announced that the organization will lead more tourism and entrepreneurship projects this year, and hopes to work closely with the government, specifically DOT.

CCCI president Melanie Ng said the chamber will get more involved in tourism related projects, events in Cebu from government to private sector initiated projects.

Pushing the potential of tourism to its maximum level in Cebu could also give way for more Cebuanos to venture into entrepreneurship.

The growth in tourism could affect the health of a lot of sectors, such as retail, food, transportation, among others.

Aside from showcasing the attraction of Cebu as destination in heritage, beaches, shopping, CCCI will also support hotels to improve Cebu's foothold in MICE (meetings, incentive, conference and exhibitions), as Cebu has yet to scratch the surface of this huge market.

CCCI and CATOS and other tourism related groups such as Hotel, Resorts and Restaurant Associations (HRRAC) have already made initially meetings on how to complement and be ready to face the busiest year in tourism, particular with the opening of new airport extension (Terminal 2) in the middle of 2018.