LAPU-LAPU CITY, Cebu — Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco mirrored President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s goal of transforming the Philippines into an Asian tourism powerhouse.
This is the agency's established strategic goal from the very beginning to display the country's natural beauty, cultural diversity and economic potential to the world.
Frasco graced the opening ceremony of the 36th Joint Meeting of the United Nations Tourism Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, and the UN Tourism Commission for South Asia (CAP-CSA) at the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort in Lapu-Lapu City on Friday.
'This vision aims to attract more tourists, more investments, more visitor receipts, and, overall, to stimulate economic growth to provide livelihood and employment to our fellow Filipinos,' Secretary Frasco said.
She said the Marcos administration has since implemented its vision through various programs and projects that seek to elevate the quality of Philippine tourism, which is why, she added, they are delighted along with the hosting of these Joint Commission Meetings.
The 36th CAP-CSA gathers delegates from UN Tourism Member States, affiliate members and various groups to address the UN Tourism Programme for 2024-2025, as well as Asia-Pacific concerns, with the goal of promoting sustainable gastronomy while safeguarding local traditions and natural resources.
In keeping with the worldwide push for sustainability, the event focused on cost-effective and environmentally responsible ways for increasing local sourcing, reducing food waste, battling climate change and encouraging circularity in gastronomy tourism.
'As we gather as a community of nations today under the banner of United Nations Tourism, we emphasize our shared dedication to preserving our culture, promoting cross-border collaboration and aligning our tourism policies,' Frasco said.
'We will lead discussions about the current tourism situation prevailing in our regions and work toward green transformation, sustainable tourism development and education in tourism,' she added.
Frasco declared that the tourism sector symbolizes the spirit of a new Philippines, a Bagong Pilipinas, and invites the world to embrace and adore the innumerable reasons to love the Philippines.