Tourism micro-players need support group to get funding

The Canadian government has expressed willingness to support the tourism industry in Cebu, especially the small and micro players.

However, the small and micro entrepreneurs engaged in tourism-related businesses must unite to form a support organization, or be affiliated with big business organization like the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), in order to get "wealth" support from the Canadian government, said Canadian Ambassador to the Philippines Peter Sutherland.

"We are more interested to work with small scale businesses especially in the tourism sector in Cebu," Sutherland said.

Recently, the CCCI sought the help of the Canadian government, through the Embassy office in the Philippines, to help the branding effort of Cebu in the international market.

Sutherland said the Canadian government is willing to work with CCCI in promoting the tourism sector, but a comprehensive program must be formulated first and together they will identify areas of collaboration.

Sutherland stressed the importance of an organization that will bring the voice of small players in the tourism industry, such as the tour guides, souvenir items vendors, and small restaurants, among others.

Although, Cebu is now strongly known as a "tourism-led" economy, there is yet no official organization that brings the entire voice of the tourism industry.

While, there are several tourism groups that are formed, like the Cebu Association of Tour Guides (CATO), Skal-Cebu, Hotel and Resort and Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), among others, a support organization has not been organized.

Although the CCCI is adopting the tourism players, and is taking the responsibility to promote the tourism sector in the Cebu, Sutherland said a tourism organization is needed in order for the sector to gain support from international funding agencies, such as support from Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

The CCCI had been attempting to form an umbrella organization or Cebu Tourism Coalition for the huge tourism sector players in Cebu, but until now, the move still remains a plan.