CEBU CITY — The flagship tourism program of the province of Cebu, the '"Suroy-Suroy Sugbo," will become a national program next year.
With this, Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said all regional directors of the Department of Tourism (DOT) will join the next leg of Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.
Garcia said she was informed by her daughter, DOT Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco, that the nationwide implementation of the program may take place in the first quarter of 2023.
"Secretary Christina has directed all regional directors in the entire country to join so that they will be able to see exactly how it is done. So that they may be able to immerse themselves in the Suroy-Suroy experience," Garcia said.
Suroy-Suroy Sugbo, which means wandering in Cebu, is a group tour package that brings participants to various towns in the province.
During the tour, participants get to visit tourist sites and experience each town’s festival presentation.
Participants will also get to taste each town’s delicacies.
The next leg of Suroy-Suroy Sugbo dubbed "Suroy-Suroy Northern Escapade" was slated in January.
Some local government unit officials have already signified to replicate Cebu’s Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.
Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado said if Garcia would allow, he would copy the concept of Suroy-Suroy Sugbo and have it implemented in his province.
Garcia said it is “big compliment for Cebu” that other provinces are interested in replicating Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.
"I am flattered that he (Aumentado) would also look at the program that has been so successful in promoting our towns and cities outside of the Metro Cebu area and in promoting our natural tourism sites as well as our heritage sites and the culture of the Cebuanos," Garcia said.
Garcia said Cebu is willing to help LGUs who would wish to have their own tourism program patterned after Suroy-Suroy Sugbo.