CEBU CITY – Cebu can capitalize on its world-class furniture designs to draw more tourists, an official from the Department of Tourism (DoT) said.

“Cebu has evolved from just being a beach and leisure destination. Now, it can boast of its international furniture designs and exports as a tourism attraction,” said Eduardo Jarque, DoT undersecretary for planning and promotions, during the recently concluded annual international furniture exhibition, CebuNext.

The three-day event held early this month displayed the latest trends in furniture and home furnishings design made by Cebuano furniture exporters and manufacturers who are members of the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation Inc. (CFIF). The total number of exhibitors reached 49.

More than 700 buyers registered on the first two days of the show coming from the US, Europe, Middle East and some parts of Asia.

“Close to a thousand buyers from key market destinations like the US, Europe and the Middle East is a good number. You have to remember that most of them who come here for business would like to visit the furniture shops of these local exporters. Knowing that Cebu-made furniture is world-class, that is already an attraction in itself,” said Jarque in an interview.

"Apart from the furniture designs, the attraction of Cebu as an island destination would always be there. That is why Cebu is perfect for both business and leisure," he added.

He revealed that the DoT is considering tobring in furniture buyers from all over the world in a form of “familiarization trip” to promote both tourism and the furniture industry in Cebu.

Part of the plan is to include Cebu’s branding as the “Design Destination in Asia” in all tourism-related promotions abroad.

“This is the tourism office’s way of contributing to uplift our ailing furniture industry because of the global crisis,” Jarque said.

Last year, Tourism Secretary Ace Durano announced that DoT and CFIF will be working together to formulate a program that will promote the furniture industry in Cebu in an all-year-round basis.