High-Powered Speakers Lined Up for Tourism Innovation Forum on June 14

A set of high-powered speakers await attendees of the Tourism Innovation Forum on June 14 at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. Their coming together will provide local government units, hotels, resorts and restaurants, tour operators, industry associations, and other participants from different industries with the knowledge on the best practices and latest trends on tourism.

The one-day Tourism Innovation Forum is one of the events of the anticipated Cebu Business Month (CBM) 2018 in June, which is spearheaded by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI).

During the forum, Department of Tourism (DOT) Undersecretary Benito Bengzon Jr. as a keynote speaker will present DOT updates and directions for 2018. DOT Region 7 Director Shalimar Hofer Tamano will also provide a special message.

The strong lineup of speakers also include Janet Tan-Collis, president of the Singapore Association of Convention and Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers, on the topic of meetings, incentives, conventions, and events.

Christine Ann U. Ibarreta, director of sales and marketing of the Golden Phoenix Hotels and president of the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association, will explore trends in the hospitality industry. Teodoro del Mundo Jr., chairman and chief executive of EON, will share tips on crisis management, such as how to manage the aftermath of crisis situations.

Heherson Cheng “Jason” Tengco, head of accounts and strategy of VYGR Voyager Innovations Inc., will talk about how digital has transformed travel information dissemination and how technology has provided even the unbanked and uncarded access to online travel booking. Cesar Mario O. Mamon, chairman and president of Enchanted Kingdom, will share his knowledge on amusement parks and attractions.

Josephine F. Costales, chairman of Costales Nature Farms, will talk about the development of farm tourism in the Philippines and the best practices of her company. Robby Alabado, director for medical and wellness tourism of the DOT, will present about medical tourism.

said CBM 2018 Tourism Chairman Edwin Vincent Ortiz. He is the president of Evo Ventures Inc. Group of Companies.

Aligned with the CBM 2018 theme, Innovate Cebu, the Tourism Innovation Forum is organized through the partnerships between CCCI, Cebu Provincial government, Cebu City government, and DOT. Event sponsors of the forum include Hyundai, Azpired Travel and Meditec.

Regular registration fee is P1,000. Groups can avail of the 5+1 rate of P5,000. The fee is already inclusive of certificate of attendance, morning and afternoon snacks, buffet lunch, and conference kit. Promotional desks are available at P8,000, which already includes one IBM table setup with two chairs.

Interested participants may opt to take the All Season Pass Ticket for a 3-in-1 bundle worth P4,000. This already guarantees the ticket holder entry to three events of CBM 2018: Tourism Innovation Forum on June 14 at the Marco Polo Plaza Cebu, Innovation Summit on June 19-20 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel, and Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night on June 29 at the Oakridge Pavilion. This is a limited offer good until June 1. (PR)