CeBu CeBoom CeBlog

According to NEDA statistics, arrivals in Cebu for foreign tourists totalled 800,000 in 2003. It grew 14.1% in 2004 totalling over 1,000,000 and it grew to over 1,100,000 in 2005 ( 10.4% growth). The reason it did not grow faster in 2005 is purportedly the shortage of hotel rooms. It is expected that there will be a big increase in 2006 due to new hotels coming on line, and also of Cebu’s hosting of the ASEAN Summit.

Cebu got 28.5% of all foreign tourists that came to the Philippines.

Per NEDA figures, Cebu figured prominently in the investment arena, garnering over 17.2 billion pesos of investments in 2005. This is more than 10% of total Philippine investments garnered from foreign investors which totalled over 163 billion pesos.

Moreover , Cebu garnered 98% of all investments in all Central Visayas region.

Here are the figures of Cebu exports: (O as presented by Marlene Rodriguez, regional director of NEDA for region 7.

Exports grew from $3.43 billion in 2003, and was $4.152 billion in 2004 (20.9% growth) and $4.7 billion in 2005 (13.5% growth).

It grew 12.5% for the first quarter of 2006.

The most important thigns to consider of accomplishment and being relevant is;

(1) “taking care of your troops” and
(2) “applying yourself 100% to today’s task, not tomorrow’s probable opportunities.”

Gen. Colin powell

More and more pictures are being added to the Cebu PIctures Gallery, which now has over 2,500 pictures about Cebu.  Dozens of pictures were added about the winners and guests at the Cebu Grand chamber Awards 2006,   as well as pictures from the Miss Mandaue Contest 2006 which was held last May 2006.

Cebu Pacific will open direct flights from Cebu to Hong Kong starting Oct 2.  To launc ht he new service, the airline i so ffering an introductory seat rate of only P1,999 one way.

Te route is scheduled to operate four times weekly, onday, wednesday, friday and sunday. It leaves Cebu at 9:20 p.m. arriving in Hong kong at 11:55 p.m. and departs Hong kong at 12:55 a.m. to arrive back in Cebu at 3:30 a.m. the following day.

The Cebu International Furniture and Furnishings Exhibition ( CebuX) 2007 is coming up with a stronger brand and marketing campaign for Cebu.  According to Eric Mendoza, Cebu X Chairman, there is a need to strongly an d aggressively bran dCebu X as the best lifestyle show in Asia, as well as inculcate to the whole world that Cebu si the island destination for both business and leisure.  They will also be distributing the Cebu Xperience Guide which features information on how to get around Cebu- both for business and pleasure, and will distribut this free to all international buyers and visitors during teh CebuX Show.

Mandaue Mayor, Thadeo Ouano presented the ASEAN summitpreparation that was underway for the ASEAN Summit this coming December in the Mandaue Business Forum held at the City Sports Club.

Mandaue City grewby 34.58% , and was cited as the fastest growing economy in the Visayas.  The Cebucity grew also by aroughly 18% durin gthe same period.  This
is based on the LGU income and business tax that was paid.

Registered business etablishments doubled to 10,400 in 2005 from only 5,200 in 2001.
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The Arts Council of Cebu is celebrating Mozart’s 250th year by holding a Mostly Mozart Piano concert.  This will be performed by Ruldolf Pelaez Golez at the piano, and Russell Brandon as the annotator.  This will be at the CENEWOF Theater, Marcelo Fernan Hall, Cebu Press Center, Sudlon Lahug at 8:00 p.m. on august 26, 2006.  Tickets are at P200 and P150. For more information, please call Arts council 2330452, 2330236.  The concert is for the benefit of music scholars of Liceo University and the Asilo dela Milagrosa Home for the Aged.