Home 
CEBU CITY, Philippines ? Cebu tourism will get another boost after the Cebu provincial government accepted the invitation from Philippine organizers to participate in Switzerland's biggest consumer fair next year.
The fair, which is known as MUBA or Mustermesse Basel, is a yearly event in Basel, Switzerland and will be held from February 13 to 22, 2009. It showcases the culture, products and festivals of the chosen guest country for ten days with two weekends.
Since 2000, Swiss fair organizers had invited countries such as Brazil, Madagascar, Vietnam and Denmark and make them the feature countries for the event. Next year, it's the Philippines turn to be featured, which means it will be the main presenter of the fair.
The Department of Tourism (DOT) decided ?Tropical Islands Philippines? as the country's theme for the event.
Joel Valdes, chairman of the Philippine-Swiss Business Council, said this will be a great opportunity to present Cebu because the theme fits Cebu province.
Philippine organizers will focus on sectors such as jewelry, fashion accessories, Christmas and holiday decors, wearable, gifts, toys, and house wares, furniture/furnishings and processed food.
?With this, Cebu would be regarded as the major island to be featured. And the province could have a ?Cebu Day? within the ten-day fair,? Valdes said.
?Anything for Cebu and with this great opportunity, I accept it," said Governor Gwendolyn Garcia as she accepted the invitation.
Valdes assured the governor that the organizers would help in setting up the booth.
?This would be great, showing to people the 45 festivals of the province with unique stories that go with it and promoting tourism in Cebu that Cebu is not only about beaches but also about these festivals,? Garcia said.
