Philippines Underscores Sustainability and Long-Term Development in Macau Tourism Forum
DOT Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco (center) poses for a photo with Consul General Porfirio Mayo Jr. (second from left) and UN WTO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Hae Guk Hwang (second from right). They are joined by DOT OIC-Undersecretary Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso (far right) and DOT-Shanghai Tourism Attaché Ireneo Reyes (far left). (Photo of courtesy of DOT)
MACAU 26 September 2023 – The Philippines, led by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, attended the 10th Global Tourism Economy Forum (GTEF) held on 20-23 September 2023 at the Galaxy International Convention Center in Macau.
The three-day event, hosted by the Secretariat of Economy and Finance of the Macau SAR Government in collaboration with the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), brought together government officials, business owners, and industry experts from around the world to discuss latest trends on global tourism and sustainable development.
Secretary Frasco participated as a panelist in a special session entitled “Sustainability in Focus: Navigating the Future of Tourism in Asia” together with government officials from Macau SAR, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. The session was moderated by UNWTO Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Hae Guk Hwang.
In her remarks, Secretary Frasco emphasized the importance of sustainability in the development of the Philippine tourism sector, as described in the recently approved Tourism Development Plan for 2023-2028 under the Marcos Administration. The Secretary highlighted several objectives and strategies to be pursued under the Plan, such as infrastructure development, digitalization, and expansion to rural areas to benefit local communities.
She likewise expressed that while the Philippines continues to be well-known for its beach and diving destinations, the government will also pursue a multi-dimensional approach to its tourism by bringing focus to the country’s history, culture, and indigenous peoples.
Secretary Frasco likewise envisioned that the Philippines will become the tourism powerhouse in Asia by 2028 and that the local tourism industry will be able employ over 34 million Filipinos all over the country. END
DOT OIC-Undersecretary Verna Esmeralda C. Buensuceso (second from left) and Consul General Porfirio Mayo Jr. Jr. (middle) attended the GTEF opening ceremony on 21 September 2023. Also in attendance are Vice Consul Regina Angeli Ambrocio (far left), DOT-Shanghai Tourism Attaché Ireneo Reyes (second from right) and Senior Tourism Operations Officer Jem Micaiah M. Turla (far right). (Photo courtesy of DOT)
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