By AJ de la Torre (The Freeman) Updated September 09, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - With Cebu’s thriving efforts in achieving sustainable tourism development without harming the environment, an international tourism organization deems Cebu as a fitting venue for the Skal Asian Area Congress.
Skal International president Hulya Aslantas, during her recent visit in Cebu, said that they are more than eager to hold the Asian Congress in Cebu considering its thriving tourism industry and efforts made by industry players in promoting tourism.
Skål International is the largest group with a civil initiative in travel and tourism made through gathering all branches of this sector in to one,
The Asian Congress, slated on May 29, will have foreign delegates arriving on the 26th with various activities prepared prior to the official start of the gathering.
This will be the 39th Skal Asian Congress and the second to be held in Cebu following the successful hosting back in 1995.
This year’s gathering is expected to be participated in by over 400 members worldwide.
Aslantas shared that in line with the organizations’ advocacy in upholding sustainable tourism that is on ecological tourism, they see how Cebu has worked hard for the development of the tourist spots, most especially the beaches that are well-known by many, but managed to preserve the natural wonders of the environment.
Aslantas said this is one of the components they have seen which makes them very keen on holding the Asian Congress in Cebu.
“Cebu is a beautiful resort destination. It is a place that has grown through sustainable development and has grown in harmony with place. It has facilities and buildings but did not destroy the lifestyle of the people and the environment,” she said.
The organization, which favors ecotourism, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with the United Nations Environmental program that would include Skål members in the effort of protecting the environment through sustainable development.
The congress is said to greatly benefit the provinces’ promotion of tourism in which preparations have already thoroughly started said Charles Lim, the president of Skål International Cebu chapter.
At least three to four million pesos is allocated for the preparations but Lim said that the gain in terms of the boost of the industry that Cebu would be getting would be worth any price.
He also said that this gathering would be one way of sharing experiences and help each other recuperate from the financial crunch that the businesses have felt.
He added that the crisis may have been present but it can not change the tourism sector and how it is patronized by many. Lim added that the budget or the pattern may change, but the travel and tourism industry “would not lose its grip.”
Further, Aslantas said that they are also working on repositioning the organization in order to take further into action their aim in promoting global tourism.
“We really need to position ourselves and show who we are and where we are today,” added Aslantas who shared that there have been a lot of changes in the organization since it was founded in 1934 in Paris by travel managers that initially promoted the idea of gathering to strengthen friendship without doing any business.
But Aslantas said that the notion have already changed and the concept have shifted to “doing business among friends.” However this has not been completely explored thus the need for repositioning the organization.
She mentioned that they have to reposition themselves since they have not fully implemented their missions and visions, which is a waste since they have a lot of strengths as a group like them being the first and the largest of its kind in the promotion of travel and tourism. “The basic worth is already there, it is a matter of using it properly.”
Aslantas said that are already conducting surveys for their members where specific questions are found on how to reposition the organization. They also have created a task force intended for the repositioning and also are revising their present visions and missions.
She said that since the goals of the club is not stressed out, “Skål International is not where it deserves to be and should be positioned somewhere,” and added that “the mission and vision defines who we are and what we offer and why Skål International exists. There is a need of a shared sense of direction among all Skål members, if we have this, imagine what we can do?”
Jenny Franco, president of the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies in the Philippines- Cebu Chapter and former Skål –Cebu chapter president said that the repositioning is a positive step that they need to strengthen the partnership with other countries.
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