By Nancy R. Cudis
SKAL International Association of Travel and Tourism Professional world president Hulya Aslantas urged organizers of next year’s 39th Asian Skal Congress in Cebu to provide “attractive” airfare and accommodation rates to attract more participants to the event.
Cebu will host the 2010 Asian Skal Congress, an annual international gathering of top tourism and travel players from Asia and the Pacific, in May next year. This will be the second time for Cebu to host the event. The first time was in 1995.
“This will be a good opportunity for Cebu to promote (itself). About 400 are expected to attend. But more people will come, depending on the attractiveness of programs, as well as airfare and accommodation rates. When they come, this will be like an inspection trip for them,” said Aslantas.
Skal International Cebu president Charles Lim said that while the congress may cost “millions” to prepare, stakeholders should look at its long-term benefits.
Aslantas said that “wherever the congress goes, the tourism in the host area grows.”
The 39th Asian Skal Congress will be participated in by Skal members who are professionals coming from tourism-related industries, such as hotels, airlines, travel media, shipping, theme parks, car rentals, hospitality, academe and national tourism offices.
Skal International Cebu director Jenny Franco said the group has formed different committees, including one that will take charge of coming up with special packages for congress participants.
Aslantas said the event will tackle several issues, including tourism amid the global financial crisis and her proposal to reposition Skal as the biggest grouping of travel and tourism professionals.
Skal vision and mission focus on sustainable and quality tourism.
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