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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH to host int'l tourism conference in March 2022

PH to host int'l tourism conference in March 2022

Published Sep 23, 2021 02:13 pm

The Philippines is set to host the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit next year, a move that is expected to spur the tourism industry’s recovery not only in the country but also around the world.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat during the opening ceremony of the 2021 Philippine Travel Exchange (PHITEX) at the Acea Subic Beach Resort on September 20, 2021. (Photo from Department of Tourism)

This was announced by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat during the recent hybrid Philippines Travel Exchange (PHITEX) in Subic.

According to Puyat, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases already approved the holding of the WTTC considering stringent health and safety protocols in place before and during the summit proper.

The WTTC Global Summit is an annual event that gathers over 800 delegates representing the largest and most prominent international travel and tourism companies from airlines, hotels, resorts, travel agencies, and tour companies.

It was originally scheduled in October this year but was moved to March 2022 due to global travel restrictions.

Puyat is optimistic that the event will help spur the recovery of the hardest-hit sector as international travel remains limited around the world.

“Many of our tourism products have been recalibrated to cater to the shifting demands of the new normal. I can assure you that future visitors of the country will still be able to experience the high caliber service and hospitality that Filipinos are renowned for,” Puyat said.

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the marketing arm of the DOT, laid out its current initiatives to position the Philippines as the meetings, incentive travels, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE) hub at least within the Southeast Asian region.

These include the hosting of the 8th edition of the Philippine MICE Conference next month where MICE professionals will tackle key issues and concerns affecting the industry.

Other initiatives include capacity-building activities for MICE groups in local government units (LGUs), and the formulation of the MICE roadmap to identify Philippine destinations that are ready, willing, and able to host future MICE events under the new normal.

As domestic travel gradually resumes, the DOT vowed that it would continue rolling out vaccination programs for tourism workers primarily in tourist-magnet destinations to support its appeal to reduce the required quarantine days for future inbound travelers for the total recovery of the sector amid massive revenue and job losses.

"We are always striking a balance. But of course, without compromising health and safety. For us, we want fewer travel restrictions, but at the end of the day, we have to listen to the doctors," Puyat explained.

"Sustainable tourism development is at the core of everything we do. Our recovery plans are not mere band-aid solutions," she added.

Related Tags

bernadette romulo-puyat tourism World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Department of Tourism (DOT) Philippines Travel
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