Tourism related biz told to upgrade facilities for ASEAN summit in Dec.

Aside from the P1 billion preparation budget from the national government for the ASEAN Summit in December next year, Cebu's private sector is also urged to start investing in the improvement of accommodation facilities and other businesses related to tourism.

Next year is seen to be the start-off year for Cebu to take the world's spotlight in tourism, as 17 head of states from ASEAN (Association of East Asian Nation) will be in Cebu for the summit.

Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Robert L. Go said even before the holding of the summit on December 2006, more ASEAN meetings will be held in Cebu as early as first quarter for the preparation, thereby Cebu's name will be the center for discussion not only within the ASEAN member countries, but in the global scene.

"CCCI is preparing for the ASEAN Summit. We are pushing for this big event-in the name of tourism," Go said. He mentioned that there is a high possibility that United States president George Bush will also come during the meeting.

Aside from urging its member companies, especially those operating tourism related establishments, to improve its facilities and services, Go said the CCCI is accelerating the full implementation of its "Culture of Tourism" campaign.

Initially, CCCI will call a meeting with the taxi operators to develop good taxi drivers in Cebu.

As host for one of the world's prestigious gathering of head of states, Cebu would need at least 17 luxury vehicles, and at least 50 high-end cars to accommodate the visitors.

Also, hotels are urged to fix their presidential suites to for the leaders' accommodation.

The P1 billion budget from the government would boost Cebu's infrastructure, as part of it will be spent on road widening, among other improvement in infrastructure, Go said.

"Next year will be the year for tourism in Cebu, we should start to improve our front liner establishments in tourism, as the whole world's eyes will be focusing on Cebu," Go said.

Because of the ASEAN Summit, Cebu will be given an opportunity to market itself as a destination in the world, without spending too expensive advertising campaigns, he added.

This is also the time to aggressively market the 300-hectare South Road Property to the head of states in the ASEAN block, among with other visiting participants from seven non-ASEAN member countries, such as China, Indonesia, Russia, Australia, and New Zealand, among others.

ASEAN member countries include the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia, Laos, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar.

In a separate earlier interview, Hilton International Asia Pacific Pte Ltd president for Middle East and Asia Pacific Koos Klein said that the upcoming ASEAN Summit next year will be a good vehicle for Cebu to market itself as a destination.

He suggested that Cebu should project to the ASEAN leaders that it is a premium tourism destination, thus tourism infrastructure should be impressive and attractive to the Summit participants, so that they will personally bring good news about Cebu to their respective countries.