REGIONAL TOURISM CONGRESS

th
(one of the highlights of National Tourism Month Celebration)

DATE : September 27-30, 2010

VENUE : General Santos City

A. EVENT DESCRIPTION
The activity was conceptualized to unify and complement tourism promotional
efforts and strategies for the Region. Region 12 is endowed with the most number of
Cultural Communities, diverse natural and man-made attractions, majestic seats of
government, and world class infrastructures , but the region is still striving in terms of
tourism competitiveness . Thus, the need to congregate to plan for future of tourism in the
Region is a must.

General Santos City-being the service, industrial and financial center of the
Region, initiated th
one in all our regional tourism promotional endeavors. Complementation rather than
competition should be the key purpose and bottomline of this activity.

The congress will be a very good venue for planning and strategizing tourism
development goals in the regional level. It is composed of activities geared towards its
vital purpose and strict adherence to our regional branding, cooperation and commitment
as one region, one area, one tourism destination experience.

B. DATE OF ACTIVITY: September 27-30, 2010

September 27- Arrival/ Registration
September 28 Regional Tourism Congress
September 29 Protocol 101 Seminar
September 30- Social Graces 101 Seminar

C. VENUE OF THE ACTIVITY: TBA (To be arranged/announced)

D. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES / TOPICS
a. Day 0 - September 27, 2010
i. Arrival of Delegates
ii. Registration

b. Day 1 September 28, 2010

Tourism Congress Proper
AM Opening Ceremonies
Tourism Act of 2009
IRR
Accreditation
Domestic Tourism

Lunch Break

PM Regional Branding
Regional Tourism Council Assembly
Meeting
Regional Festivals Coordination & Network
Desired Output: Resolutions

c. Day 2 - September 29, 2010

Seminar on Protocol 101

d. Day 3- September 30, 2010

8:00- 11:00 Seminar on Social Graces, Ethics & Etiquette 101
11:00 Closing Program

E. BRIEF OF ACTIVITIES / TOPICS

1. Tourism Act of 2009

A briefer / orientation on the Republic Act 9593 also known as the Tourism Act of
2009 and its implementing Rules & Regulations. Sub topics under the Act will be
discussed such as the role of the LGUs in the Accreditation of Tourism- related
establishments.

2. Domestic Tourism
One of the thrusts of the New DOT Secretary Alberto Lim, is building a strong
domestic tourism along the countrysides. Initiatives as to the strategies of the new
administration will be discussed.
3. Regional Tourism Situationer
The present clear and actual Tourism Situation of the Region will be made known
through the head of the DOT XII Officer In Charge. The Plans and programs as well
as the recent standing of the Region compared with other Regions of the country
in terms of Tourism Standing will be laid down.

4. Local Tourism Brands

Helpful hints, initiatives and success stories/ experiences of other areas in the
region who have been successful in their Tourism Brand. Bottomline is to create a
Brand that works for the region.

5. Tourist Safety & Security

Knowing the peace and order situation of the region , as baseline data for all
regional tourism promotions, will be discussed and made known to all Tourism
Stakeholders.

6. The Role of Media in Regional Tourism Promotions

From the point of view of media practioners versus the regional tourism
stakeholders and media readers/viewers, focus discussion on how they have
helped and packaged the region in terms of their fair and unbiased reporting for
the area, through a face to face square-off.

7. Matching Labor Supply to the Tourism Business Demand

Schools offering BS Tourism & BSHRM Courses versus the owners/proprietors of
Tourism Oriented Establishments, a square-off : to align and qualify hospitality
industry graduates to the business job positions in demand.

8. Regional Tourism Council Assembly & Meeting

A meeting of all Tourism Stakeholders in the Region, to renew and strengthen
tourism initiatives for the area. Regional Planning and regional development
thrusts shall be discussed. The Chairperson will report on her performance and
accomplishments of the previous years administration. End result of the
assembly/meeting are Resolutions for adoption, that will serve as respective areas
baseline data for unified promotional blitz.

9. Seminar on Protocol 101

Feedbacks from guests are worth considering in the field of tourism. The
emergence of mostly new tourism establishments in the region and the
proliferation of accommodation establishments, fast food restaurants, specialty
shops, fitness gyms, spas, gaming centers, convention & exhibition centers, malls
and the like, are target participants to this seminar and needs to be trained.
 They are the major frontliners of the industry and needs to refresh their basic
protocols. The visit of dignitaries in the Region is also foreseen, thus the basic
knowledge of the topic must be learned.

10. Seminar on Social Graces, Ethics & Etiquette 101

The basic table manners, ethics and etiquettes for all frontline service workers of
the industry will be tackled in the seminar. Introduction and forms of address,
types of special functions, arrangement of functions, dinner receptions, table
seating arrangements / placecards, attires, accessories, choice of menus and wines
are likewise included in the training.

Knowing these basic social graces is deemed important for the tourism service-
givers in the region.

F. PROPOSED SPEAKERS

1. USEC SIMEON MARFORI

Usec Marfori is the new Undersecretary of the Department of Tourism, incharge of all

family rings a bell , belonging to the Da

the Private Sector belonging to the business field.
Topics: Tourism Act of 2009
IRR / Accreditation
Domestic Tourism

2. OIC JOVENCIO L. AGUS

The Officer In Charge of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Regional Consular Office XII
based in Gensan once served as the protocol officer of the Department. A graduate of
the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in the same course, he was assigned at Vientienne,
Laos prior to his assignment here. FSI is responsible for training all Diplomats,

Outstanding Employee of DFA for his loyalty, commitment and exemplary

performance of his job.

stakeholders will be gaining more confidence, ease and finesse in their routinary

Topics : Protocol
Social Graces, Ethics & Ettiquettes
3. OIC JOSE B. CABULANAN, JR.
The present Officer In-Charge of the Department of Tourism XII will give light the
regions tourism situation.

4. LOCAL TOURISM BRANDS

o EDGAR D. CADIENTE
The Acting Department Head of CEMCDO shares the branding initiatives he
did for Gensan. A writer, a poet, a designer , a graphic artist, director and a
performer, Mr. Cadiente packaged General Santos City in a brand that works.
Topic: Magandang Gensan
The General Santos City Experience

o MICHELLE SOLON
and the most renowned woman power endorser of the
Province in terms of Tourism Promotion, will talk on the Province success
Sun, Sand & Sea Advento
Adv
Topic : (Sea, Sun & Sand), Sarangani Your Adventure
The Sarangani Experience

o CESAR C. SULIT, JR.

The
dvenurte
Sports.
Topic: : Extreme Eco Adventure Sports
The South Cotabato Experience

5. P/Supt FELICISIMO V. KHO

The Provincial Director of the Philippine National Police , will brief the participants on
the Regional Security Situation.
Topic : Tourist Safety & Security

6. SCHOOLS OFFERING BSHRM/ BSTOURISM COURSES VS. TOURISM ORIENTED

ESTABLISHMENT OWNERS/MANAGERS : A SQUARE-OFF
Focus Question : Are our schools deliver the right qualification of labor
needed in the Tourism Industry?
 7. REGIONAL TOURISM STAKEHOLDERS VS. TRI-MEDIA : A SQUARE:OFF
Focus Question : Are the local media delivers the right tourism promotion
and packaging for the Region?

8. BAI SANDRA SEMA

The chairperson of the Regional Tourism Council and the concurrent President of the
Cotabato City Tourism Council is now the Representive of the Cotabato District.
Conmgresswoman Sema is another woman power in Tourism of the Region.
Topic : Regional Tourism Council Report

G. TARGET PARTNERS & PARTICIPANTS

a. All regional Tourism Stakeholders
 Department of Tourism XII
 Municipal, City & Provincial Tourism Officers/Designates
 Municipal, City & Provincial Tourism Council Heads/Rep
 SP, SB Chairperson - Committee on Tourism
 Municipal, City & Provincial Planning Officers (Tourism
Planning)
 City, Municipal & Provincial Festival Heads/Rep
 Chamber of Commerce Business Sector
 DTI
 DFA
 Suppliers/Dealers of Tourism Products & Services /TREs

b. All Tourism Oriented/Related Establishments

 Hotels/ Resorts/ Restaurants/ Bars
 Inns/ Pensions/ Lodging Houses
 Destination Management Companies (DMCs)
 Malls / Boutiques/ Souvenir Shops/ Specialty Shops
 OTOP Producers-Local Products
 Spas/ Saloons/ Massage Parlors/ Beauty Clinics/ etc
 Cultural Dance Troupes/ Performers/ Theaters, etc
Choreographers
 Choirs/ Bands/ Singers/ Concert/ Entertainment Managers
 Cinemas/ Convention Center Owners
 Travel Agencies/ Tour Operators
 Taxi Drivers/ Bus/ Jeepney Operators
 c. Academe offering Business Courses
 BS Hotel & Restaurant Management Teachers, Staff &
Students
 BS Tourism Teachers, Staff & Students
 TESDA Skills Trainor/Trainees on Tourism Related Trainings
 Chefs/ Bakehouse/ Cakehouse /Pastry Owners/Bakers
d. Museums

e. Eco Tourism / Adventure Sports Groups

 Bikers Associations
 Skim Boarding Associations
 Mountaineering Groups
 Rappelling/Trekking/ Backpackers Association
 Snorkeling/ Scuba Diving Associations

H. REGISTRATION

1. Interested participants in any of the activities of the Congress should contact the
Tourism Division, CEMCDO and look for the undersigned at 553-8338/ 553-8448.

2. Registration Fee for the congress is P2,500, to cover the meals, snacks and congress
kits. BS HRM & BS Tourism students will be discounted at P1,200

3. Accommodation is not covered in the registration fee.