http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=461622By Emmanuel B. Villaruel Updated April 27, 2009 12:00 AM
CEBU, Philippines - With the bronze statue of the great Datu Lapu-Lapu standing as witness, the city government of Lapu-Lapu formally launches its comprehensive Sports Tourism program as part of its dedicated effort to sustain the city's development while ensuring its people's jobs and livelihood in the midst of global economic slowdown.
Mactan Brgy. Capt. and Lapu-Lapu City First Lady Paz Radaza, the forerunner of the highly ambitious project, stressed that tourism has always been their core strength, transforming the city into a major destination for recreation, conferences and conventions.
And while they have not been lacking in conducting job fairs, extending livelihood, and facilitating corporate social responsibility projects to address employment concerns, Radaza said they have to look beyond the traditional in the face of unexpected and extraordinary circumstances.
"The time has therefore come for us to adopt sports tourism as a long-term thrust to overcome the effetcs of the global crisis," said Radaza during the event's formal launch that was among the highlights of the 30th Kadaugtan sa Mactan festival last Saturday night at historic Mactan Shrine.
Radaza made mention of several prominent Asian cities such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur among others that took turns in hosting important sports events. In the process, they attract thousands of overseas visitors and generate new jobs for sports players, officials, coaches, referees, health and training instructors.
"By all indications, industry leaders believe that sports tourism will continue to become a strong driver of growth for Asia's travel industry," said Radaza.
Radaza thus egged on all tourism stakeholders to throw their all-out support in the city's pursuit to become a major sports tourism destination in the country.
"While we do not have the sports facilities of Beijing or Seoul and while other places in the country are also investing in sports tourism, we are counfident that our city has the essential ingredients needed to become a competitive sports tourism destination," she added.
Radaza trumpeted the cornestone of their sports tourism is the P280-million Hoopsdome that the city government is now building.
"The Hoopsdome will be a flagship in our sports tourism development. Suitable for various sporting events," Radaza said of the fully-airconditioned sports dome that has a seating capacity of 8,000 people. "Before the end of 2009, the Hoopsdome will become Lapu-Lapu City's most spacious venue for prestigious sports events and exhibitions, completing the facilities already existing in our world-class hotels and resorts."
To jumpstart their sports tourism drive, Radaza said they have created the Lapu-Lapu Sports and Vents Bureau to be jointly managed by the public and private sector representatives.
"This group will chart the overall direction of our tourism thrust in cooperation with various stakeholders. It will also market Lapu-Lapu City, organize events, and develop the training pool needed for different sports competitions," Radaza said.
The inaugural venture of the Lapu-Lapu Sports and Events Bureau will be a half-Marathon competition dubbed as "The Great Lapu-Lapu Run" on July 21 coinciding with the second anniversary when the city achieved its Highly-Urbanized status.
The 21K Run will be spearhaded by Hembler Mendoza, the general manager of Waterfront Airport Casino Hotel. He will be assisted by SKAL, an international travel industry organization.
This early, Lapu-Lapu's new thrust in sports tourism got a full backing from various private sectors mostly from the Tour Operators and Travel Agencies and the Hotel Resorts and Restaurants Association of Cebu (HRRAC).
Among those who have already pledged their support to Radaza's endeavor include the Shangri-la Hotel and Resort, ABACA Resort, Waterfront Airport Hotel Casino, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa, Day's Hotel, Costabella Resort, Mactan Island Golf Club, Imperial Waterpark Resort, Tambuli Beach Resort, Cebu Grand Hotel, Mactan Cebu International Airport Authority, Marriott Hotel, and Cebu Parklane International Hotel. – THE FREEMAN
