BUSINESS CHAMBERS in two of the country’s major cities outside the capital Metro Manila are putting focus on the promotion of tourism as a driver for local economic development.

Arturo M. Milan, in his inaugural address as president of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Inc. (DCCCII) last Friday, said they are looking at the promotion of tourism — alongside agriculture, manufacturing, and information and communications technology — for investments and job creation in the Davao Region.

“I believe these are the areas that will bring the most benefit for all of us and these are areas where we can excel because of the talents of our people and the natural resources that our region is blessed with,” Mr. Milan said.

He said key to the investment promotional campaign is a push for improved “people mobility and connectivity,” particularly sea and air linkages.

“Trade and exchange of goods and services must be pushed through better people mobility and connectivity. We need to lead the way in encouraging regional tourism among our neighboring countries by expanding international flights from and to Davao City,” he said.

Mr. Milan also vowed that DCCCII will make corporate social responsibility the “center of everything we do.”

“Business is not only about business but also giving back to the communities as part of business,” he said.

CEBU CHAMBER
In the Visayas, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) will be mounting more projects for tourism and entrepreneurship this year, taking advantage of the promising indicators of these two sectors.

CCCI President Melanie C. Ng said the chamber will get more involved in tourism-related projects in Cebu initiated by either the government or the private sector.

“This is the time to act and be decisive,” Ms. Ng said.

She added that tourism also gives way for more Cebuanos to venture into entrepreneurship, noting that growth in tourism impacts on retail, food, and transportation, among other sectors.

CCCI will be providing assistance to entrepreneurs through trainings and other business know-how improvement activities.

Ms. Ng said their group and the Cebu Association of Tour Operations Specialists (CATOS) already had initial discussions on how to maximize Cebu’s potential to make tourism its top economic driver. — Carmelito Q. Francisco and Ehda M. Dagooc/The Freeman

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR