26 September 2014 - A high level Philippine delegation flew in from Manila to participate in the 20th World Development Forum, also known as World Routes Tourism Summit 2014, held at the McCormick Place in downtown Chicago from September 20 to 24.
Philippine Consul General Generoso D.G. Calonge and Vice Consul Alena S. Borra of the Philippine Consulate General in Chicago accompanied the delegation, composed of top officials from the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT), the Philippine Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), Manila International Airport Authority, Clark International Airport Corporation, Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
World Routes is a global gathering for aviation organizations from all countries, bringing together senior representatives from airlines, airports, tourism authorities, and civil aviation authorities to conduct business for the development of new routes.
DOT Assistant Secretary Benito C. Bengzon, Jr., head of the Philippine delegation, was featured as one of the speakers in a panel discussion on “Global Tourism: Where is the shifting traveler demand?” held on September 22. The discussion was moderated by BBC World News news anchor and presenter Aaron Heslehurst and featured other speakers from the delegations of Cyprus, India, and the city of Austin, Texas.
It was also announced during the forum that the 2016 Routes Asia will be held in Manila from March 06 to 08, 2016, to be hosted by the Philippine Department of Tourism and co-hosted by the Manila International Airport Authority, the Tourism Promotions Board, and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority. A signing ceremony at the Philippine booth confirmed the decision.
The 2016 event would be a good opportunity for the Philippines to promote further growth of its international tourism market and showcase the results of the planned upgrading of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport as well as of the country’s secondary airports.
The Philippines was one of five final nominees considered for the Best in Destination Marketing Award during the summit. END