CEBU CITY – More than 1,000 delegates, including some 500 senior ASEAN officials such as tourism ministers and representatives of national tourism organizations, as well as travel exhibitors, international buyers, and members of the media are expected to attend the ASEAN Tourism Forum set on January 26 to 30 in Mactan Island, Cebu, Philippines.
Cebu governor Pamela Baricuatro and Cebu City mayor Nestor Archival jointly held a meeting, January 6 at the Capitol Gallery to coordinate and synchronize all preparations for Cebu’s hosting of the ATF with discussions focused on streamlining logistics and enhancing inter-agency collaboration for the seamless conduct of the event.
Included in the preparation agenda is the safety and security protocols of the visiting dignitaries, including foreign ministers and their spouses during both official functions and personal engagements, in accordance with diplomatic standards.
Baricuatro directed Dr. Joshua Brillantes, regional director of the Department of Health DOH-7) to work closely with the provincial government in forming medical teams that will provide on-call medical assistance to delegates throughout the forum.
“There is a need to complete all preparations ahead of the forum because Cebu is also busy with the preparations for the Sinulog festivities. Both mayor Archival and I are committed to make the ASEAN Tourism Forum event a successful one that can strengthen Cebu’s international pride as an investment and tourism hub not only in the country but throughout the ASEAN region,” Baricuatro said.
The ASEAN Tourism Forum is ASEAN’s premier annual gathering of tourism ministers, government officials, and industry stakeholders from its 11 member states—Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste.
The ATF aims to promote Southeast Asia as a single tourism destination, strengthen regional cooperation, and shape future tourism strategies through ministerial meetings, TRAVEX business exchanges, and discussions on sustainability and digital transformation.
Department of Tourism (DOT-7) OIC-regional director, Geleena Asis Dimpas presented the schedule of high-level meetings, including the ASEAN Tourism Conference, where regional and international experts will converge to discuss tourism trends, challenges, and opportunities.
Dimpas said that beyond official meetings, delegates are offered curated tours showcasing Cebu and nearby destinations, including a heritage tour of Cebu City; island hopping in Lapu-Lapu City; leisure and golf activities in northern Cebu; heritage sites in southern Cebu; the Bojo River experience in Aloguinsan; the sardine run in Moalboal; Kawasan Falls in Badian, and a culinary and leisure tour in Bohol.
The regional directors of various national
government agencies that form part of the organizing committees-- Department of
Tourism (DOT), Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of the Interior and
Local Government (DILG), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Department of Public
Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), Department
of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
and others attended the coordination meeting to ensure the efficient flow of all
ATF-related activities. (Photos: Capitol PIO/FB)
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