Cebu makes money from meetings

CEBU CITY—Around $1.2 million (P55.2 million) is expected to be poured into the local economy with the holding of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) 3 and other events here.

Aster Caberte, Department of Trade and Industry director in Central Visayas and a member of the Cebu Organizing Committee, said the holding of the Apec meetings meant a boost in the operations of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), enabling them to create jobs.

Caberte said each Apec delegate was projected to spend an average of $100 daily. The delegate would stay here for at least two to three days, she said.

She said they would be spending for meals since they would be going to restaurants after the meetings. They are also expected to go around the city to shop, she added.

‘Exquisitely Filipino’

Caberte said a total of 6,000 delegates were expected to attend the more than 80 meetings from Aug. 22 to Sept. 9, and also in October.

There are 18 exhibitors featured at the “Exquisitely Filipino” in SM City Cebu that showcases Cebu products, including fashion accessories, furniture and home and office furnishing.

As of Sept. 1, the accumulated sales of the exhibitors have already reached P300,000, she said.

Caberte expected more sales will be generated by the MSMEs when 30 more exhibitors feature their products at the SM City Cebu Atrium. “We hope to see more sales generated from this activity.”

Showcase

There would also be a showcase of Cebu products at Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa in Lapu-Lapu City, where the Apec Structural Reform Ministerial Meeting (SRMM) would be held on Sept. 7 and 8.

Rowena Montecillo, Department of Tourism director for Central Visayas, said the tour consortium offering tours to Apec delegates have generated around P300,000. Around 49 tours were sold to 107 delegates.

The consortium is composed of Southwind Travel and Tours Inc., Destination Specialists Inc. and Wander Lanes Travel and Co.

The most number of delegates who availed of the tours came from the US, China and Taiwan.

Reasonable

Montecillo said they have advised those selling souvenirs to keep their prices reasonable and not take advantage of the delegates.

The tours offered to Apec delegates include the Cebu Island Arts and Crafts Industry Tour, Island Hopping Safari, Cebu Highlands Tour, South Countryside Tour and Village Experience, Dive Cebu, Cebu Food Trip, Spa and Wellness Package and the Bohol In A Day Adventure.

Montecillo said tours that explore the historic sites in Cebu are very popular among the delegates. The tour includes a visit to the Magellan’s Cross and the old Chinese district of Parian, where the centuries-old Yap-Sandiego ancestral house and the Jesuit House of 1730, now known as the Museo Parian, are located.

The accredited restaurants also experienced more than the usual business with the presence of Apec delegates who prefer to taste the local cuisine.

Montecillo also said she hoped the holding of Apec meetings here would result in investments in tourism.