The 2nd VISMIN travel show

To boost the tourism industry in Cebu and its neighboring islands, Cebuanos once again played host to the 2nd Visayas Mindanao Travel and Lifestyle Show 2006 at the Trade Hall of SM City Cebu.

Guests of Honor Cebu Provincial Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu Vice Mayor Michael Rama and Department of Tourism Regional Director Dawnie Roa, in their brief messages, encouraged the various partners in travel to promote their respective islands and proudly showcase the best of what they have to offer.

The successful two-day show had over a hundred exhibitors from the different sectors of the travel industry composed of airlines - Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Continental Airlines and Qatar Airways; shipping lines - the Super Ferry and Princess Cruises; hotels - the Marco Polo in Davao and InterContinental, Manila, along with resorts, tour operators and travel agencies such as Cebu Fortune Travel, Travel Vision, Blue Horizon, Grand Hope, as well as restaurants and other stakeholders in the world of travel and tourism.

Admission to the fair was free which afforded the visitors and would-be travelers the opportunity to explore possible local destinations such as Palawan, Bohol, Negros Occidental, Pangasinan, and Ilocos. Likewise, the foreign Tourism Councils that included Malaysia, Hong Kong, Guam, Thailand and Singapore had their own booths that highlighted the attractive features of their islands and their respective cultures.

Event chairperson Marget Villarica of Destination Specialist spearheaded the event. She was ably assisted by Cecile Sa-a, president of Cebu Travel and Tour Association and Alice Queblatin, president of the Cebu Association of Tour Operators.